Conquering the "Everest" of Swimming ... One year on (Janeen de Klerk)

In about January 2011 my friend Patrick had bagged a number of medals for a wide variety of challenges like the Cape to Cairo bike ride, full iron man, half iron man, Cape Argus, Cape Epic, Comrades marathon, climbing Kilimanjaro, Double Century Cycle rides etc. and was considering the next extreme challenge to add to his bucket list – the English Channel Swim.

Patrick and I over many years have shared training goals, training notes, runs and followed each other’s endurance events with enthusiasm and I know within a few minutes of finishing a Two Oceans or Comrades the first call I receive is from Patrick who has read every tracking sms or followed every red dot on the route.

So it was with admiration and a little “I wish I had the guts” that I watched from the sidelines as Patrick registered and began his preparation. This included eating anything he liked to eventually weigh 100 kg – extra blubber to brave the cold - and hours and kilometers of swimming in anything that had water in – the gym pool, Sea Point swimming pool, Australian waters, South Africa waters -and in any weather. In addition he still completed an Argus and an Epic. Cross training maybe??? or some may just say “mad”.

Patrick had indicated that when he was looking for a support crew he would consider me so it was with a sense of excitement and honour that I opened his email in May 2012 requesting me and two of his friends to be part of his support crew. Mike was very encouraging when I discussed this with him and his view was – it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity not too be missed – and so with his support and a little bit of trepidation about Patrick’s “YOU MAY NOT GET SEA SICK” I accepted the offer.

The timing for Patrick’s swim was an ideal start to a trip that would end with my running the Berlin marathon.  So while Patrick trained, ate and prepared for his swim I kept my two feet on the road, reviewed my previous boat trips and concluded that sea sickness was not a number one risk. I scoured the internet with searches that included “supporting a channel swimmer” and I am not sure if I ever told Patrick but I found only 2 articles – 1 where the support crew described it as” hellish and never again” and in the other 2 of the swimmers crew got so seasick they were no help at all and the third slipped on the boat – knocked himself out and the swim had to be aborted because of an unconscious crew member. What was I letting myself in for!!!!.

September came quickly and it was not long before I found myself waiting for Patrick outside our designated meeting point - Costa Coffee at St Pancras train station. Return tickets to Dover bought we boarded the train – our journey had begun.  Both Patrick and I had expected the sea to be on our left as we approached Dover and one moment of panic struck when the sea was on the right – but we quickly concluded there was only one Dover and it was just the approach that was different.

I had envisaged that my stay in Dover would be like staying on some small wet isolated and not very attractive beach in an old beat up caravan. Boy was I wrong – our home for the next few days – a mobile caravan in Varne Ridge Holiday Park - situated on the white cliffs with stunning views across the channel to France. The park – home from home for channel swimmers is run by David and Evelyn who go the extra mile to help swimmers and their support team. Having hosted many a swimmer they have a wealth of knowledge to share and an uncanny knack of making each visitor feel unique and special. With swimmers from Australia, Ireland, Canada, Malaysia and South Africa getting weather reports, checking the tides and winds, speculating on whether their swim was a no go or a go Varne Ridge was ground control for nations united on one goal – the channel crossing!!!.

On our arrival David took Patrick and I into town and showed us the key points – the grocery store, the bus stop and the beach! Bus tickets for the week secured Patrick and I headed for a rendezvous with his South African friend – Myles – who coincidentally had the same “window period” for his swim. Human nature is interesting - 2 people facing the same challenge one with anxiety and an endless list of questions etched in his face and the other giving little insight into what was occupying his thoughts.  The two clad in their speedo’s with a South African flag on the rear tested the water and discussed the prospects for their swim. With Dover Castle perched on the stunningly beautiful white cliffs behind me I watched in the distance as other aspirant swimmers swam lengths from left to right while large ferries carrying passengers traveled eastwards from Dover and Calais. These sights would become very familiar and the beach a regular meeting point for us.

The next few days seemed to fly by as we stocked up on water and Cadbury’s chocolate rolls (recommended fuel for the swimmers on D day) and Patrick took me through my paces with his feeding regime and equipment and each day would end with a call to the skipper of Patrick’s crew boat – Anastasia – to get a heads up on the weather ahead and possible start date. The rules of the swim require that the swimmer has to swim in a speedo, may not hang onto the boat/rope or person and Patrick had “patented” a number of tools that would assist his crew in adhering to the rules while feeding him.

34 kms is a long way to swim and motivating the swimmer is key and while Vladimir (Patrick’s smurf mascot) watched silently I was prepped on the dos and the don’ts to encourage Patrick on. Vladmir having accompanied Patrick on the Argus, the Epic, Iron Man, a hike to Kilimanjaro and the Comrades has many a tale to tell but that’s a story still to be written. Patrick’s schedule detailed the time and nature of refreshment for every feed anticipated as he crossed the channel and in reviewing this I was constantly struck by the amount (and the detail) of preparation that was required for this event.

In between all of this I still had the time to experience some beautiful runs along the white cliffs and while doing so mulled on my forthcoming support role.

A constant silent reminder to Patrick of the support growing for him at home came in the form of a banner of photos and messages from friends and family that hung in our “lounge” and the more vocal came in the form of constant tweets and bbm messages.

7^th September 2012 – D day dawns – Myles has got his call and he’s due to start at 23h30 and Patrick’s waiting is about to end – he receives the message “good to go” at 3h30 on the 8^th. 

Varne Ridge is a hive of activity and Patrick’s other crew – Paul and Dave previous channel crossers themselves arrive, “war stories” are traded, last minute changes to equipment are made and final lists are ticked.  Bed calls but sleep alludes and it’s all quiet on the western front till once again in the early hours of the 8th the park hums with activity and we head to the harbour and our designated boat. Myles by now has been swimming 3 hours and despite the early hour the harbour is abuzz – there are 3 other boats with swimmers mentally preparing for the task ahead of them. One – a swimmer from Australia- will attempt to make 3 crossings.

The skipper, Eddie Spelling, and his crew welcomed us all on board the 32 foot long boat – “Anastasia” much more luxurious than I had expected.

In the cool, dark and windless hours of the early morning the boat chugged slowly towards “Shakespeare Beach” where the swim would officially begin. Patrick clad in a speedo with a light stick attached to his rear (so we could spot him in the water)  and a South African swimming cap on his head stood legs astride and arms in the air while he was rubbed down with Vaseline and suntan lotion.  The boat was eerily silent as crew and swimmer alike contemplated what the dawning day ahead would bring. The grin on Patrick’s face more than likely disguised any feelings of nervousness and anxiety he was experiencing. This contemplative silence is broken by a question from Patrick on – “what do I do if I have to go…..” – we all shout in unison – “do it in the water”, he says “even if …” and we shout “YES”

Shakespeare Beach is reached, final goodbyes and good lucks are said, Patrick climbs down the ladder and swims a few metres towards the shore and in the dark a loan pale figure appears on the pebble covered beach. Two feet on the ground and one arm in the air signal that at 3.31am Patrick’s channel swim has officially begun. On Patrick’s phone I tweet “In the water and on his way”.

The boat turns and gradually leaves the dark white cliffs behind while travelling in an easterly direction across English waters towards the shipping line and our final destination the pebbles of a French beach – Cap Gris Nez.

It’s not long before a lone figure with a smooth, consistent stroke and rhythm is swimming alongside the boat.  Face down arm in, over and through, breathe to the right , face down, arm in, over and through, breathe to the left and so the pattern for Patrick’s 34 km journey was set.

It is still dark but the water is calm and fairly mild at 17 degrees and as the dawn breaks silver streaks of light make their appearance on the slowly shimmering sea and the colours of the South Africa flag on Patrick’s cap became brighter and more prominent. I am simultaneously overwhelmed with emotions that are a mix of comfort, anxiety and excited expectation. Mentally I communicate to Patrick – you can do it, don’t give up, keep going.

In discussing an expected time for finishing a channel swim Patrick had indicated it could take close to 14 hours and I wondered how I was going to fill so many hours on a boat. I never would have anticipated how busy I would be and how quickly the time would pass.

Patrick had to be fed every 45 minutes for the first three hours and then every 30 minutes thereafter. Feeding time did not consist of a choose of arbitrary items that could be thrown at the swimmer anytime but rather adherence to a detailed and varied “menu” that had to be carefully passed to the swimmer ensuring he did not hang on to the stick or boat while feeding. Patrick was alerted to each feed a few minutes before it was due when we hang a large Smurf “(he who shall remain nameless”) over the side of the boat.

Every item of food eaten or drink consumed had to be documented by myself and a swimming official. The latter’s role was to ensure that all the rules applicable for the swim were adhered to, to monitor the swimmers performance and condition to determine that he/she was still fit to continue and there was no pending health or safety conditions that would require the swim to be aborted. The pace of Patrick’s stroke had to be counted and recorded regularly – a significant slowing down in the average stroke rate would be a cause for concern.  Conversations held with Patrick had to be noted to ensure that he remained alert, lucid and aware.

Long distance swimming is tedious and unlike running there is no view to contemplate, hill to walk up or speed down it is just the monotony of the ocean, the side of the boat and continuous forward strokes. Keeping a swimmer motivated is therefore really important. We had a white board on which to write messages from friends tweeting, bb-ming or sms-ing or choose from a list of motivational words/names/phrases that Patrick had given us.  We selected these depending on how we viewed Patrick’s mood – they included Money; pain is temporary – failure is inevitable; names of friends or family, names of races/events where Patrick had been inspired/succeeded or those where he had struggled or baled. All personal reminders and motivators to him of the dreams, goals and sacrifices he had made to begin this journey.

The banner depicting photos and words of wisdom and encouragement from family, friends and supporters oceans apart adorned the side of the boat. A constant reminder to Patrick as he lifted his head to breathe that others were following his journey.

Understandable as in most endurance events and in this case between 3.5 and 4 hours into the swim Patrick hit a low. Motivation and the response of his support team at this point were integral to his success.  It was here that I realised there would definitely be 2  crew members  I would ask to support my channel swim if I was daft enough to ever attempt it. 1 being the skipper who in a calm but firm manner disputed others advice with regard to the extent to which you increase the concentration of the energy drinks and with a quiet confidence reassured us that if guided Patrick based on his experience as a skipper for many a swimmer he would succeed. The other being Dave, a successful channel swimmer and a cancer survivor who had come equipped with a Santa Claus outfit to provide distraction and a whistle to attract his attention. Dave also made use of Vladimir – Patrick’s ever faithful mascot - to inspire him and Vladmir became proficient in waving an arm and 2 legs at Patrick while swinging from the side of the boat.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, Patrick swam further and the white cliffs of Dover were no longer visible time passed quickly as we all remained focused on our common goal. Terms previously foreign to me like SW Lane, Separation Zone and NE Lane (shipping lanes), stroke rate, Cap (ideal landing point) all become common vocabulary as we tracked Patrick’s progress. With a new acquired skill I become a champion tweeter responding to messages as friends and family woke and wanted updates and sent their motivational greetings or chirps like “go Patty cake; are you guys their yet; want a photo of France you could be in a swimming pool for all we know; the Stella Artois is calling”  

In the few odd quiet and still moments when the only sounds one could here were the slow chug chug of the boat and splish splish of a swimmer’s stroke I had time to wonder and admire Patrick’s  tenacity and endurance. Unlike a marathon runner a channel swimmer cannot stop with feet on the ground to take a drink or enjoy the loud cheers of supporters along the road one can only tread water for a few seconds, grab an energy gel from a stick and try and make sense of the muffled sounds coming from a single boat bobbing up and down a few meters away from you. Since 1875  only 1341 swimmers have completed 1801 solo swimmers – little wonder it is known as the “Everest” of swimming.

Patrick’s desire to finish was fueled and encouraged by the various reports we gave him of the others around him. Mark Bayliss an enduro athlete completed the Arch to Arc (140 km run from Marble Arch in London to Dover, a 34 km mile swim from Dover across the channel to Calais and then 290 km cycle race to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris) in a record time of 73 hours 39 minutes and 12 seconds. Trent Grimsey an Australian swimmer Patrick met at Varne Ridge completed his swim just as Patrick first reached French waters in a record time of 6 hrs 55. Myles Wilson – Patrick’s South African friend and swimming partner reached the Cap in 13 hrs 11 minutes at almost the same moment Trent stood on French soil.

Sooner than we thought and taken slightly south of our expected destination by the incoming tide we could see the sandy French beach in the distance. If I zoomed in on my camera I could clearly see children and adults enjoying a lazy afternoon on the beach. An inquisitive catamaran sailing near us stopped to cheer Patrick on and I tweeted a photo and a “Charge ur glasses this man is gonna land in France soon”.

In water as clear and calm as a swimming pool we dropped anchor and shivering with goose bumps, a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye I watched as the skipper’s son climbed aboard a kayak in the water, Paul and Dave in speedo’s (and Vladimir in Dave’s hand) jumped into the water to accompany Patrick for the last few meters.  Knowing how incredible it felt to me to watch Patrick swim, stand up, walk onto  the sunlit warm French beach, raise his arms in the air 13h56 minutes after the same gesture on a dark cold English beach I can only imagine his combined feeling of exhaustion, exhilaration and sense of achievement. My final tweet “He’s done it 13.56 WELL DONE PATTY”

As the sun slowly began to set I watched as Patrick was towed back by the kayak and carefully climbed up onto the boat. With a teary eye and a dry towel I hugged Patrick – what an achievement and what a privilege to have been there to witness it. Just less than 14 hours in the sun and water were evident in Patrick’s slightly swollen face and tan marks where his goggles had been. Patrick retrieved some small stones from his speedo – testimony to his “I want to call myself a channel swimmer and put pebbles in my trunk”

The boat turned and began its homeward journey as Patrick dressed in warm clothes, bucket by his side and his arm as a pillow dozed oblivious to the most spectacular sunset and red sky that surrounded us and slowly drew the curtain on a momentous day.

Disembarking at the harbour Patrick was greeted and presented with a medal (chocolate) by Phil and Tara – two tweeting supporters!!!

How proud Patrick must have felt when we arrived back at Varne Ridge to see the South African flag flying from the mast in the wind and a huge banner pasted on our caravan that said “Congratulations on becoming a channel swimmer” – just more examples of David and Evelyn’s support and encouragement.

Patrick still had the energy to share a celebratory braai with UK friends who had travelled to Dover for the weekend. Pottering around the caravan that night both Patrick and I were struck by the fact that it still felt as if we were bobbing up and down on the waves – sea legs persisted. Sleep came easily that night for both of us.

The next few days were spent drinking large cappuccinos while reveling in Patrick and Myles success, exploring Dover castle, Folkestone and Canterbury, a memorable run with Patrick from Varne Ridge along the white cliffs to Shakespeare Beach (the start of the swim) and watching other avid swimmers stress and prepare for their crossing.

Wednesday 12^th September 2012 outside Costa Coffee at St Pancras Station my journey with Patrick had traveled full circle and we were to head off in opposite directions me in pursuit of the Berlin marathon and Patrick a well-earned rest and no doubt dreams of the next challenge.

As Mike said – “and experience in a life time – never to be missed” Patrick thank you for letting me accompany you on this journey. I cannot convey adequately what a privilege it was to share it with you and to be there as you in your quiet unassuming way prepared yourself for the challenge and how with determination and endurance you accomplished what not many others have. Thank you for taking me on the ride (or should I say swim) YOU ARE SOLDIER!!!!