Member’s Channel Swim
In July Centre member Vicky will be attempting to swim the English Channel on her own, with the support of a boat and crew called Masterpiece.
Last year, Vicky had her first taste of what it was like to swim the channel and completed it as part of a 4-person relay. The conditions were perfect with glorious sunshine and calm sea. It took the team 11 hours and 32 minutes before they stepped foot on French territory.
Vicky quoted “One question I have been asked a lot is why? Why this challenge? I never thought I would ever get the opportunity first and foremost. We all have different body types and for me, swimming comes a lot more naturally than running. I have always said I would rather swim the Channel than run a marathon and hopefully I will be able to attempt this in July”.
Like many, Vicky is attempting the challenge in memory of someone who inspired her. She said” I grew up with swimming and swam with a club; Whitby Seals. One of the club members, Nora Swales, supported me with my swimming and would always come to the galas. As a child, we swam in the River Esk, and my competitive edge would always get the better of me. Chasing down fellow swimmers and coming out a shivering wreck! Nora took me home and made sure I was able to talk again! Nora volunteered so much of her time to teaching young children to swim and sadly we lost her to cancer. When this swim gets tough, I will be thinking of her, and others who have battled through cancer and that’s why I would like to raise money for cancer research”.
Vicky is also raising money for Canterbury Welcomes Refugees. Up until swimming last year, she did not fully grasp the distance and unpredictability of the channel and how so many people risk their lives every day crossing the channel. This made her realise how lucky we are not to start or experience such difficulties in life. This charity supports Syrian families with language support, housing, employment support and much more which can indescribably change lives.
Vicky explained “Many people have dipped their toes in the sea over the winter months due to swimming pools being closed and although the thought of getting into the water when the temperature is less than double figures, it honestly is a brilliant feeling once you come back out! Preparation has been less than ideal, but that makes the challenge even more exciting and unpredictable. Spring of 2020 brought warm weather in April and May, however, this year we seem to have seen rain, wind and snow for so much longer!”
Vicky has been having personal training sessions with our Fitness Instructor Callum to help with her training. She said “I would like to thank Callum for all his amazing PT he has done with myself and Jolie in preparation for this swim and in general”.
In order for the attempt to be official, the swim must be registered with the Channel Swimming Association and have an observer on the boat who makes sure that all rules are followed. The rules includes wearing one costume, one hat, one pair of goggles and you must not touch the boat at any time (including feeding). Vicky will have a couple of coaches and friends on the boat also, who she knows will encourage her throughout the swim, feed her at regular intervals, and most importantly, check that she is safe and not getting too hypothermic.
The attempt will be made between the 14th – 22nd July 2021, as the exact date is weather dependant. The swim can be watched live by using the live tracking device.
We wish Vicky all the best for her swim. Please visit her JustGiving page to donate towards Cancer Research Uk and Canterbury Welcomes Refugees.
