Thanks to so many people ...
Well ... it has been about a week since I swam successfully across the English Channel ... what an experience! 13h55 - most definitely THE most difficult thing I have ever done; and over the last few days it has slowly sunk in what I actually did achieve.
I shall update this blog, and other sources soon, with a little write-up on my experience down in Dover. I am currently still plodding around the UK (today in Birmingham) and will get round to that soonest.
Basically I wish to extend my thanks to numerous people, groups or organisations ... and as cliched as it sounds ... I know I am going to forget someone; please forgive me and let me know so that I can include them ...
Up front, and foremost ... and here I won't be able to mention everybody ... thanks a mill for all the friends (and definitely my colleagues in the office ... John, Joe, Bertrand, Simon, Chantel) who have kept up an interest, kept asking and kept encouraging me. Specifically those that took the time to message me during my swim (all the messages were passed on verbally during feed stops, or written up on a white board while I was swimming) ... it turns out these messages were unbelievably beneficial for my psyche and motivation along the way ... big-up to all of you :-)
Family and close ones ... thanks so much for all the endless support ... both before and in enjoying the excitement after ... YOU ROCK!!
An unbelievable thanks must go to my support crew on the boat ... Janeen, Dave and Paul. YOU got me through the swim. The simple, straight forward and continuous timing of feeds and motivation were great! Paul gave ample motivation and challenges before the swim already. Dave's little thing; like a Father Christmas hat and beard, whistle, feeding pole ... all added a little touch and helped with the smooth swim we had. Janeen (and thanks to her husband Mike for letting her leave him for such a long trip) ... you are the BEST!! A close family friend who was keen to join me from the word go, for the personal support, love and dedication ... this will never be forgotten!
The weather gods and lords of the oceans ... I promise to (nearly) never bitch about sea and weather conditions ever again ... you laid on the most sublime day ... how amazing. And any aspirant swimmers ... come train in Cape Town ... the English Channel feels soooo warm :-)
Eddie Spelling, and your crew, on the boat Anastasia ... thanks form the escort. Thank god you didn't shout any instructions to me ... I could not get a grip on your accent ... eish ;-)
Evelyn and Dave - at Varne Ridge - the best accommodation out there. The support, assistance, supplies, caravans ... everything just great. The campsite vibe was amazing - apparently one of the best in many years. Within a few days there were about five successful swimmers, great groups of people and enthusiastic support crew.
Fellow swimmers and crew ... great to have met all of you ... Allan, Muna, Brian, Donal, Trent (well done again on your world record ... and all the best for your swimming career going forward) ... I have forgotten some names already ... so sorry ... but you yourselves will not be forgotten.
Phil and Tara ... meeting us at the end and spending the few days together ... really great.
Mark Bayliss ... firstly well done on your amazing race (Running London to Dover, swimming the Channel, and then cycling to Paris). Secondly thanks for keeping to the first day of your "window" period ... you left me that perfect day with respect to seas and weather ... shot!
Speedo SA ... thanks for the awesome kit ... cap, briefs, bag and jacket ... whoop, whoop ...
Martin and Phil ... past and current gym instructors ... and the great bunch I train with regularly at Body Vision Gym ... your endless support and excitement is great ... Ean, Willi, etc ... thanks!
The open water swimmers back home ... especially the English Channel swimmers ... your advice has been so useful and important on this trip ... Barend, Roger, Ryan, Andy, Hugh, Brian, Gary ...
Janeen ... again ... and all those that contributed to the banner Janeen put together ... oh boy ... I still get goose bumps thinking of it ... it hang off the boat all the way and was one hell of a motivator.
Last, and definitely most importantly ... thanks to Myles!! I entered for this event very early last year (February 2011). A little while after entering, and after having mentioned it to several persons, I was informed that someone else in Cape Town was also down to swim the Channel this year. We were eventually put in contact with each other ... and that is how I met Myles. Same age as me, also living in Cape Town and surprisingly down to swim during the exact same swim "window"/week as I was in early September 2012. Your support, encouragement, endless swimming, time, stress-manager and good friendship will not be forgotten. I am really grateful to have been able to share this journey with you.
And to top it off ... we both got to swim and succeed at the English Channel on the same day ... 8 September 2012 ... what are the chances??
