10hrs 19mins later........

At last, it's done, on Monday 21st September 2009 at 1:41am, I left England in the dark of night, and at exactly 12noon, I clambered up the rocks at Cap-Gris-Nez, France. It's slowly but surely sinking in the I actually swam the English Channel! Oops...... sorry Sylvain, la Manche! It was a very tough two weeks at Varne Ridge, waiting to hera that the weather was improving, but it was worth every second in the end!

I'm sorry I can't write anything at the moment but by next week I will have the full stroy up for everyone to read!

IT'S SHOW TIME...............

Finally there is a break in the weather. Lisa from Blackrock started her 2-way at 10:35am yesterday and is now well over half way back to England. Sylvain from Alsace/Cork started his swim at around 11am today and I am scheduled to go TONIGHT at around midnight. We are now 99.9% sure that this is it, for real!

There are plenty of ways of keeping up with the swim. You can call (or text) the boat on +353 87 2278242, this is my number but Dave will answer. You can keep an eye on my Twitter page www.twitter.com/owensbigswim where there will be very regular updates. By going to www.ais-doverstraits.co.uk and clicking on Sea Satin, you can track the boats progress across the Channel. It's amazing the technology involved in Channel swimming now... You can leave comments on facebook, twitter or by text if you want.

Don't forget that all this is in aid of the Irish Cancer Society and you can sponsor me at www.mycharity.ie/event/ec4cancer Thank You...!

The story so far...

Just a very brief update to get you up to speed with the latest developments.

I am now sitting in Varne Ridge Holiday Park (which I would very highly recommend) waiting for this wind to die down. We arrived on Wednesday afternoon and there was a stiff North Easterly wind blowing which was making the sea rough with lots of white horses. Its is still the same today and will be until at least Thursday.

Wednesday is the last official day of my tides but I will retain my 2nd Preference booking with the pilot until the 23rd when the next tides begin. This gives me a better chance of swimming but it means I could be swimming on a spring tide which makes the swim more difficult, but at least I can get in the water at some stage.

That's really all I can say for now. Keep an eye on the Twitter page www.twitter.com/owensbigswim for more frequent updates. Also, don't forget to keep those donations rolling in!

More later,
Owen.

It's finally September!

Hi Everyone,

I'd like to start off by just saying thanks to all the great people who have helped me reach this point. Most of all, Riordan's SuperValu Fermoy, who were very generous in their sponsorship of this swim... And also, Fermoy Leisure Centre who kept me going through the winter, Fermoy Swimming Club who I just can't thank enough for the last 10yrs, Dave Pyne for all the help with physio all this year, and Cara Partners, my Dad's employers, who were also very generous in supporting the event. And of course all the individuals who donated towrds the Irish Cancer Society so far! You can still donate here: www.mycharity.ie/event/ec4cancer So far we have raised over €5,500 I would love to make it €7,500 before I walk on French soil, so lets keep donating and I know we'll get there...!

The last week has been so different from the entire year I have put behind me. On Monday, I started to taper so doing very little swimming. On Tuesday I went to SiverSprings to remind myself of some of the 20km+ Sessions I did there and to meet with Eilís Burns, Channel Coach Supreme... Wednesday was the dreaded "back to school", into 5th Yr, the beginning of the Leaving Cert. course, and it was a big shock to the system! At least it gives me something to take my mind off waiting while I'm in Dover. Thursday morning was back to Club Trainig with Fermoy SC, I have to say I had been looking forward to this all summer! Today was up to the City to get all the stuff for Dover, and to treat myself to a few things. Tomorrow is the send-off swim and barbeque at Sandycove for myself, Lisa Cummins and Sylvain Estadieu, all heading to Dover so that should be good fun...

I will post when I arrive in Dover and the day before the swim to let everyone know that I'm off. You can follow the swim online. There should be somebody doing hourly updates and Twitter here: www.twitter.com/owensbigswim and you can also see the boats progress by satellite on www.ais-doverstraits.co.uk, I think it will most likely be Sea Satin but will confirm later. Hopefully these will be kept up to date on the day of the swim...

Expect a new post as soon as we arrive in Dover on Wednesday evening,
Owen.

PS - There should also be a post very soon about the Blackwater Sprint Triathlon which took place last weekend...