Mark's Cross Channel Swim by Swim

27:09:08 Supporting Chris Pountney on his Channel swim.

I first met Chris down at Dover whilst training for my own channel swim. Chris was embarking on a 3 year 'Ultimate Triathlon' challenge. This was to involve swimming the English Channel this year. Cycling the 'Tour de France' next year and finally running the grueling 'Marathon des Sables' across the Sahara Desert the year after! Clearly we were not talking about the average person!

Initially Chris did struggle with his harbour training and when I asked him to be my support swimmer he agreed reluctantly, because he was unsure of his abilities. Chris turned out to be a great support swimmer for me and I believe the experience did boost his confidence somewhat.

Now it was Chris' turn! We met down at the marina and Chris appeared quieter than usual, deep in thought about the task ahead and admitting he was feeling sick. To me, he looked like someone focussing on the swim.

As we made our way to the start of the swim, the sun was out, the sea was calm and things were looking good. There were six other swims taking part that day and it seemed most were starting at the same time and place.

Chris made his way to the shore and in no time at all his Channel swim had begun! And so had my sea sickness! Luckily, this time it was short lived. The sickness went and I was actually able to enjoy being on the boat. A relay team were level with us but a little way off. I remember commenting that if he can keep up with a relay then he's doing well.

Chris didn't dissapoint. He didn't just keep up with the relay (who were changing swimmers every hour) but he actually moved ahead of them! His first 3 feeds were hourly and then they went to every 30 mins.

I had been given instructions to accompany him in the water at 4, 7 and 12 hours. So at 4 hours I dived into the sea. This bit never gets any easier!! We headed off together and I felt the confidence and determination Chris was giving off.

By now Chris was begining to complain of a painful shoulder. This was a bit of a worry! Pain killers were given and he continued through the pain.

At 7 hours I entered the water again. Still bloody freezing!! The sun was now going down and Chris said his shoulder was feeling a bit better. It was time to pick up the pace a bit. The rules state that a support swimmer must not swim ahead of the swimmer. This makes it very difficult to encourage them to pick the pace up! But I done what I could and he seemed to be going well.

Chris then hit a period where he appeared to be really struggling. The relay boat had now moved ahead and we were becoming concerned about a few negative comments Chris had made. Then, from out of nowhere he seemed to find his second wind and he looked strong and positive once again.

Next came a very tense period where the swim nearly had to be abandoned! Eddie, the Pilot, suddenly shot out from the cabin with his binoculars. He looked very worried! Pilots like Eddie know these waters like the back of their hand and take it all in their stride. To see him looking worried was worrying! Then his look of worry turned to a look of panic! Now I knew it was time for us all to panic! The reason for the panic was that there was a tug boat with a 500m rope pulling a huge ship which had no lights on it. It was a very eerie sight! The problem was, the tug was heading straight for us and the ship behind was moving randomly back and forth with the tide. Our boat was stopped and Chris was ordered to tread water at the back of the boat, with the instruction that if he is told to get on board, he has only seconds to do so before we speed off in a different direction! We all stood there completely silent, willing this boat to change course. It seemed to go on forever! Then it slowly changed course and although far too close for comfort, it passed in front of us. The swim continued.

At a little over 11 hours we were told Chris had about 5 miles to go, and he was looking strong. I remember thinking, he has another half an hour, then I'm in for an hour and by then he should almost have cracked it! I emerged from the water for the third time to be told he still had 4 miles to go. I was gutted! We were clearly moving sidways along the shore without making much forward progress!

A relay team on their return came by to shout encouragement at Chris which was a lovely thing to do and Chris really did look like he once again picked his pace up. This however, didn't last very long and Chris again started to look very tired. Then he suddenly stopped swimming. We asked him if he was ok but there was no answer. We were shouting at him to answer but he said nothing! Then he swam to the back of the boat and announced he was getting out. We were all yelling at him to continue and he eventually put his goggles back on and began swimming again.

About five mins later Chris started swimming towards the side of the boat. Me and his Father were shouting at him to move away but he collided with the boat. He then started drifting out away from the boat. He was getting fainter in the spotlight as we shouted at him to return. I knew he was not looking good. He appeared disorientated and I was preparing to dive in after him.

Eddie appeared and was also concerned about him. Chris was all over the place and barely getting his arms out of the water. Between the three of us the decision was made to pull Chris from the water. To allow him to continue would have at best been cruel, and at worst extremely dangerous. The tide was very strong and Chris was exhausted and maybe hypothermic. I remember thinking how hard it must have been for his father to see his son suffering like that!

Once Chris was on board he looked terrible - the right decision had been made. He spent the journey back curlled up in a sleeping bag. When back in Dover I told Chris what an amazing swim it had been. He had swum for nearly 15 hours - more than twice what he has done in the past. He broke through many barriers and ultimatley pushed himself to his absolute limit and then a bit further! Nobody can ask more than that!

The most amazing thing about it all was that Chris looked me in the eye with a smile on his face and announced he would be back in 2 years to do it again! Unbelievable that this could have even gone through his head after what he had just been through!

WELL DONE CHRIS ON AN AMAZING SWIM. YOU ARE A COMPLETE LEGEND!

11:09:08 Supporting Hoffy on his two way attempt.

Paul Hopfensperger is a fellow member of West Suffolk Masters Swimmig Club and I have known him for about 30 years. He swam across the English Channel last year in a time of 13 hours 52 mins. This year he was attempting a two way swim.

I allowed plenty of time to travel down to Dover to accompany Paul with his swim. However, I didn't count on there being a fire in the Channel Tunnel! I came to the 100 yard countdown marker for my turn off to Dover and the traffic came to a complete standstill! We were going nowhere! I felt helpless - so near but yet so far! I phoned Paul and explained the situation. He seemed to be calm about it all which made me feel calmer. To be honest I had been quite worried about supporting Paul on his swim in case I let him down at all. Eventually, after about 20 mins the traffic started to move slowly and before long I was driving into Dover.

I met with Paul at the hotel and we laughed and joked about the swim. This was all stress release as I knew Paul was very nervous about the task ahead, and rightly so!

When we got to the harbour we were met by someone looking very worried and saying they had better get some observers, before speeding off in a car! This really didn't help with Paul's mental preparation for his swim. Eventually, two observers were found and the boat set off.

It wasn't until now that I realised just how sea sick I get! Before the end of the short journey to Samphire Hoe, where the swim was to start, I was already leaning over the side preparing to feed the fish! Both Becky Hopfensperger (Paul's wife) and Chris Enyon (fellow support swimmer) were feeling ill but they soon got used to the swaying of the boat. I, however, spent the entire journey feeling like curling up in a ball and wishing the world would stop moving! The only time I didn't feel ill was when I was swimming.

At 08:25pm Paul set off into the darkness. The water was choppy and it was certainly not the best conditions to start a two way attempt! Chris and I discussed when we would enter the water to accompany Paul. Together, with Becky we decided to leave it a few hours. At five hours Paul reared his head and announced he wanted to get out! This shocked us all. It took much persuasion to convince him to continue.

Eventually Paul asked for someone to accompany him. As I was busy curled up on the top deck feeling really sorry for myself, Chris took it upon himself to enter the water first. He swam with Paul for the best part of an hour before getting out. An hour is the maximum time a support swimmer is allowed in the water before taking at least an hour out.

Next was my turn. I dived into the deep dark sea. I had never swum in the sea at night before. It was a very surreal experience. Breathe to the right to be faced with a bright spotlight and the vague image of shadowy figures on the boat. Then your head goes down into the water to a very spooky dark green void, before breathing to the left to see nothing but complete darkness! You really have to do it to understand what it feels like.

During my swim, my sickness went and I suddenly felt starving. All I could think about was food! However, within minutes of getting out the sickness returned and I was good for nothing!

We were all longing for the light. Paul kept reminding us how difficult this swim was. Although the sea had now calmed a lot, the first four hours had really taken it out of him.

Eventually daylight came and France was clearly in sight. Suddenly I spotted something in the distance. I pointed it out to Chris. We were both in no doubt - it was a dorsal fin! It was about half a mile away and kept going under water and then up again. I took no chances and spoke to Neil Streeter the pilot. (I don't know if anyone else has thought this but whenever I see Neil Streeter I think of Captain Jack Sparrow from 'Pirates of the Caribbean!) Anyway, Captain Sparrow shot out with his binoculars, only to announce that it was a lobster pot! Panic over!

France was almost within touching distance but the tide was so strong that it appeared Paul was getting nowhere. I remember the same scenario on my swim. Becky had been telling us how last year Paul was accompanied in by a seal. Soon after she told us this we spotted two seals towards the beach. Two black heads bobbing up and down waiting for Paul. I summoned Captian Sparrow and he shot out with his binoculars once again. Within a second he announced it was two lobster pots!! Damn those lobster pots I thought. Then I had this thought of a pot full of lobsters accompanying Paul to shore and I finally had to accept that sleep deprivation and sea sickness had definitely got the better of me!

The landing was going to be very difficult. There was a very small stoney beach with rocks for ages on both sides. The waves on the coast were so fierce that landing on them would not be an option - in fact it would be suicide! I was sent into the water to help guide Paul to the right landing place. It was a strange situation. If we headed for the beach the tide would take us onto the rocks. Instead, we had to head for the rocks and with Captain Sparrows expertise he would judge the tide just right and land us on the very small beach.

The landing was a complete nightmare. Suddenly the waves were huge and we were tossed around like rag dolls. Being smashed down on a stoney beach is no fun at all. We were both battered and bruised by the ordeal but eventually emerged onto the shore.

Paul wasted no time in telling me he was not going back! I suddenly felt a hugh responsibility on my shoulders to persuade him to continue. After a few minutes I realised that his mind was made up and now we had to be positive. We had to concentrate on the fact that, not only had Paul become the 84th person to ever swim the English Channel twice, but he had also smashed his time from last year by 49 mins. This was despite him setting off for a two way attempt and dealing with rough conditions!

Entering the sea was very difficult and were just knew what Captain Sparrow had in mind. As soon as we came close to the boat, he moved further away! He was determined the swim would continue. I remember thinking, this is all very well but at some point I'm going to have to get on board - or was he expecting me to swim all the way back as well! We finally convinced them it was all over. Finally we could get on board and congratulate Paul properly on his amazing achievement. He may have felt the swim was crap but we all knew it was legendary.

Well Done Paul!!

There have been a few press releases both before and after my swim. Some I can't seem to access online but here are a couple I can. I have also included Chris Pountney's report on my swim. Please check this blog out, not just to read about my swim, but to read about Chris' amazing challenge. Please give him your support.

Bury Free Press, 6th June 2008:   http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/Mark-aims-to-beat-Channel.4155230.jp

Bury Free Press, 25th July 2008: http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/Channel-success-for-Mark.4321226.jp

Chris Pountney's report: http://www.ultimatetriathlon.co.uk/latestnews.htm

I appologise for the lack of pictures on my blog but there have been difficulties accessing the majority of my pics. I hope to include some very soon.

Don't forget to check out Hoffy's blog: http://www.hoffyswims.com/

I would also like to thank Julieann Galloway for offering to step in as my support swimmer at short notice. Unfortunately, she was unable to make it over from Ireland for my swim in the end. Please view her website and read about this amazing swimmer: http://www.jgalswims.com/

I can't believe it's now a week since my Channel swim. It has gone so quick. I'm still re-living it so often in my mind.

On the whole I've recovered well. However, I had swelling to both forearms the day after the swim and these became quite painful. After a couple of days the left one went down and ceased to hurt. But the right got much worse! I had a couple of Drs look at it while at work and they diagnosed 'Tenosynovitis'. Basically an inflammation of the sheath around a tendon. This caused a lot of pain on movement of my hand or thumb and a sickening grinding sensation! I now have my forearm in a splint to prevent movement and I'm taking pain killers, and anti-inflammatories to reduce the inflammation. I'm sure in a few days it will have settled down.

Being back at work has been quite strange. Especially as I have the worlds worst suntan! A very distinct line across my forehead where my swimming hat was! Even a week later it's still there! At work I've been nicknamed 'condom head'!! However, it was nice to walk on station and see posters up everywhere congratulating me. Made me feel really good.

Since my swim I have been told a little story that has made me feel quite sick!! I'm so glad I was not told this at the time. Apparently, Mike was preparing my feed and had put my bottle in the bucket. He was just getting my banana ready when all of a sudden he had projectile vomitting!! He saved the banana, but he vomited all over my feeding bottle and bucket!! As I was about to come in for a feed, he pannicked and just grabbed some bottled water to rinse off the sick. He then passed me my feed as though nothing had happened! I'm so glad I was not told at the time because I don't know what I would have done!! Thanks for not delaying my feed Mike!

In my last post I spoke of the French people who greeted me at Wissant. I have since found out that some were actually from Belgium - sorry! A man called Ward managed to find me via my blog and his friend Veerle has sent me some pictures that were taken. These can be seen on my Facebook Group.  It's so lovely to hear from these people who just happened to be present at the end of my swim, and who gave me such a warm welcome to France. Veerle is now a Facebook friend of mine. Who would have though that having only spent about 2 minutes in France, I would make a new friend! Oh and the little dog is not a Poodle! Silly me! It's a Malthezer called 'Billy'. Still really cute!

Mark