Questions & Answers about swimming the Channel
A: The shortest distance is 21 miles (32 kilometres) with swims starting near Shakespeare's Cliff or Samphire Hoe (between Folkestone and Dover), and aiming to finish at or near Cap Gris Nez (between Boulogne and Calais). On either side of Cap Gris Nez, the French Coastline drops away, so, if a swimmer doesn’t reach land at the Cap they have to go further to reach dry land. But the biggest effect on the distance a swimmer has to cover is caused by the tides and currents in the Channel.
Find out more about the English Channel by clicking on this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Channel
A: The current may move swimmers many miles from side to side as the tide ebbs and flows and the state of the sea can change very quickly with little warning. It is the role of the pilot to plot a course which ensures a swimmer’s safety (from other boats and the weather) and minimises the swimming distance by taking account of the tides on the day of the swim. For maps showing the effects of tides and currents, follow this link.
A: The English Channel is considered to be the ultimate long distance swimming challenge. Fewer people have swum across than have climbed Mount Everest! Distance is part of the story – but the biggest challenge for swimmers is the variability of the conditions. Ali is hoping for a wind force of one or two – but she knows she might have to face Force 6 winds and wave heights in excess of 2 metres!
The Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world with 600 tankers passing through and another 200 ferries and other vessels going across daily. Click on the following link to see a real time map of vessel movements in the Channel: http://www.ais-doverstraits.co.uk/
Finally,
the water is COLD - between 14 and 18 ºC (57 and 64 ºF) in the summer
swimming season. Official Channel swimmers are allowed no more protection
than a normal swimming costume, goggles and swimming hat. Oh yes, and did
we mention the jellyfish, seaweed and other ocean debris??
A: Most Channel swimmers try to cross when tide conditions are at their best. These are known as “windows”. Ali has booked a “swim window” between 1st and 8th August. She is the third swimmer of her pilot. This means that if the weather is good and swimmers get away as anticipated, she should get her turn on about the 4th or 5th August.
But dates (and swimming positions) are flexible. The best opportunity for a swim could be outside the scheduled window. She’ll know more nearer the time but it’s very much a question of waiting patiently for “her” good day.
A: Ali has booked a Channel crossing expert in her pilot Andy King who skippers a boat called the Louise Jane. Ali’s life – and the success of the swim will be in their hands in August. An official from the Channel Swimming Association will travel with the boat and ensure the swim complies with CSA regulations.
Members of Ali’s family including her 82 year old Poppa will be supporting her, providing food and encouragement and hopefully celebrating with her at the end!
Find out more about the pilot boat: www.louisejane.co.uk