Friends
We made it! Fantastic!
You'll be pleased to hear that while I am overjoyed at having successfully swum the Channel, I haven't lost my perspective, and it seems as silly a thing to attempt in retrospect as it did in prospect :)
Sorry that there weren't more updates, Dover's internet infrastructure has been failing to keep up with the need for communication. I write this from an internet cafe, and I have to admit that the walls are bobbing up and down in imitation of the waves I spent a good portion of yesterday battling.
We left Folkestone harbor yesterday July 9th 2007 at 5.15am, with my support team - "coach" Dad, "motivator" brother Stefan, "feeder and photographer" sister Aleksandra, "pacer swimmer" Scotty, and "the entertainer" Captain Cumberlege, along with the pilot Reg and the observer Ray. We went round to Shakespeare beach which was the start, and left there around 6am. 10hours and 34+ minutes later we arrived at Cap-de-Gris Nez, France, which is faster than I was hoping, especially with the weather. The swimming gods obviously smiled in our general direction. Everything went very well, and my support crew were amazing, and helped me overcome my inner doubting demons, with constant feeding, motivation and entertainment. They were passing on all your messages through a whiteboard that I could read at every half hour feeding. Thanks for all the positive energy.
I say 10:34+minutes later, because we are waiting for the official time, and I am as yet refusing to believe that a British comedian who swam the Channel last year (in very different weather conditions) may have pipped me to the post :) David Walliams did 10:34. My unofficial time was 10:35.
I'm in good shape, and the various bumps and bruises are more from trying to stand up on rocks in crashing waves on the French coast, and from throwing up for the 3hour boat trip back in the 6foot swells, than from the swim.
There will be more details and hopefully some photos and a map of the swim.
Thank you to everyone for all the support, well wishes and contributions to charity. As I write I can see that we have raised over $16,000 for cancer research in the US at the University of California San Francisco, and also money for the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Association's Olympic hopes, although I don't have the exact details today. Your generosity is overwhelming and much appreciated. (http://www.englishchannelswim.com/about-Julian.html)
I'm not swimming today :)
Julian
You beauty!
Posted by: Deano | July 10, 2007 at 05:35 AM
Awesome! Well done Julian. We're proud of you and your accomplishment.
Posted by: Bob Alleger | July 10, 2007 at 06:06 AM
Congrats and way to go! What an amazing feat of physical and mental stamina. Sounds like you had a great support team.
Posted by: Jeff Barca-Hall | July 10, 2007 at 06:53 AM
Hey Julian,
What great news - Congratulations!
And now Dover Harbor has good memories for you too and so maybe this won't be your last swim in that cold, brown, wild water!
Posted by: Roberta Bernet | July 10, 2007 at 06:57 AM
Congratulations... what an amazing feat!!!! I was getting worried about the conditions when you told the story this weekend about the Icelandic who sat on the beach for 3 months....
Posted by: Cynthia | July 10, 2007 at 07:36 AM
Julian - that is fantastic news! Congrats! Seems like you had a great team supporting you - how wonderful. I look forward to seeing the pictures.
Ei
Posted by: Eileen | July 10, 2007 at 07:42 AM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I'm sooooo impressed. 10:34 is un******believable! You are now officially a rock star, even if you don't travel to exotic places with Elle M... :) Bono has nothing on you. glad you aren't swimming. Try not to go into withdrawal. Drink heavily. Eat lots.
Posted by: Ashley | July 10, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Way to go - Congratulations!
Posted by: Magnus Hoglund | July 10, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Congrats Julian!
Posted by: Alicia | July 10, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Congrats Jules - a massive achievement. Did you have a pain au chocolat while there?
Posted by: Gavin | July 10, 2007 at 04:04 PM
Julian,
You are the MAN. Congratulations on this amazing accomplishment. I always knew you would do it!
Posted by: Chris | July 10, 2007 at 10:35 PM
Congratulations Julian and Scott, from Richard - Scott's brother.
Glad to hear you made it successfully. How hard was it - physically and mentally? The write-up was great, but we need more details of the travails.
Richard
Posted by: Richard Galloway | July 12, 2007 at 06:21 AM
Mate, you are a legend. Next challenge for you...
"British swimmer Lewis Gordon Pugh has plunged into the icy waters off the antarctic peninsula to smash the world record for the most southern long distance swim ever undertaken. Wearing only Speedo trunks, goggles and a swimming cap, Lewis swam 1 kilometre (0.6 Miles) in 0°c (32°f) water."
You keen?
Posted by: Ian Gardiner | July 13, 2007 at 04:20 AM
wow,
this is what you get for not checking your email. i am in awe. very proud of you. you went on a great journey that i can't wait to hear about. most importantly, your mom and dad look great! see you in august for some cake.
much love,
greg & monique
Posted by: greg dias | July 19, 2007 at 08:05 PM
Read about your crossing on Dennis Goedgebeurens weblog Corneren. Very impressive ! Great time
Did you prepare with the Channel Swimming Association ?
Posted by: Ansgar | July 22, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Great amazing swim.
What's your next swim? How about a fast Trans Tahoe relay Next year?
Posted by: john walker SERC & USF | July 25, 2007 at 04:10 PM