The Alexa Trust English Channel Relay aspirants have stayed focused and committed throughout this upside-down time we found ourselves in over the last year.
Finding small bodies of water or installing pools for tethered swimming in their gardens to become acclimatised. The 2021 teams have shown resilience and positivity and we are extremely proud of team swimmers.
This bank holiday saw several participants head to Dover beach as the English Channel swimming season formally opens. Traveling from as far as Newcastle and maintaining social distancing, these individuals strolled across the pebble beach into the harbour (home of English Channel Swimming) into just over 9 ºC water. Double dipping of up to 1hr a time certainly draws the energy from you.
The Alexa Trust always plan boat practise days for our relay members, for them to get used to logistics and way round the pilot vessel.
Louise Jane Charters (www.louisejane.net) piloted by Andy and James King, have successfully piloted The Alexa Trust teams across the E/C in recent years and believe they will continue to do so.
Ratified by the Channel Swimming Association (www.channelswimmingassociation.com) and the Channel Swimming & Pilot Federation (www.cspf.co.uk), a representative from both was able to discuss basic rules of what is required and allowed on any given crossing.
The King’s Swimmers (www.thekingsswimmers.co.uk) were on hand to support and encourage this weekend, with additional swimmers and kayakers in the water and on shore support. This weekend saw swimmers being able to push boundaries safely.
We are extremely fortunate to have built relationships with all the above and we will continue to structure safety around fun enabling individuals to swim the English Channel be it in relay or solo form.
A whole heartedly thanks to all that were involved this weekend.
The Alexa Trust (www.thealexatrust.org) continues in its aim to support Parents with Babies in Neonatal. If you know someone or have first-hand experience in a neonatal unit and feel you would like to offer something back. Please have a look at our website and start to get involved.
The Alexa Trust still have limited places available for 2022 and 2023. So if you feel swimming the channel is something you aspire to do, contact Howard James and let’s get you started.
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