Many thanks to Anita Joy, and students Ben, Connor, Tom, Tilly and CJ for kindly inviting me to talk about Diabetes awareness and our Channel Relay Swim during the Hobbes House Assembly at Malmesbury School this week.

The short presentation that I delivered is available here.

What a weekend! Three swims over increasing distances in the 9 degree water off Dover. The longest swim on Sunday morning was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Having picked up a throat infection I was feeling under par before we hit the water, but as Captain Webb said in 1875 on completion of the first Channel swim, 'Great things are never easy'. He wasn't wrong!
We don't mess about when entering the water us Channel  challengers. Off with clothes, on with the cap, cozzie and gogs, then in! The first few seconds are surreal. Some go into shock and forget to breathe. Some forget to take their head out of the water before they inhale. Me? I just tend to turn the air blue with 'sailor' words before just going for it! It's OK once you get going. Your skin tingles and your extremities go numb, but somehow you keep it together. For me 20 mins is OK, 30 is tough, but more than that?? Not nice!
Sunday's swim was supposed to have been a 30-35 min affair from Dover promenade to the western sea wall and back. I took a little longer as I chose to fall into formation with a lady who was having a tough time in the cold on the return leg. My left leg was starting to cramp when the 30 mins mark ticked by. I was happy to have someone close by. What good we would have been to each other if things had gone wrong I don't know. (Our fantastic coaches are never too far away though Mum so stop stressing!).
It was amazing how hard the last 200m proved to be. I had to let my legs trail, so pulled myself along with arms only. The tide wasn't helping either. It was wonderful to see my team mate Andy Wasley waving from the shore. I aimed for him! The water is murky so it was only when my hands touched shale that I knew that I could stand. Well.....tried to! I stood, tumbled. Tried again and flopped over once more. I must have looked like a fish on a mongers table. Hannah, our chief organiser kindly helped me up and chucked me my Crocs before checking me in as a safe arrival. I clambered up the steep pebble beach. Time is EVERYTHING at this point. Our instructions repeatedly hammer home the importance of getting into layers of clothes with urgency and order.
Unfortunately, another swim team had arrived and my clothes pile had got mixed up with theirs. I lost a vital 45 seconds fiddling about looking for my gear. The shakes had started. I did my best to dress. Its hard to explain how hard that is when you are shaking that much. You miss sleeves and head holes. I gave up on socks! I needed to get in the warm. The 400m walk back to the hotel was not nice. I was feeling colder and colder. You feel that cold in your chest and back, as your core has cooled. That's hypothermia setting in. My teeth were chattering so hard that I had to put my fingers into my mouth to stop myself from biting my tongue to bits. In through the hotel doors and straight up the stairs. Fortunately my brill roomy Helen Braid had kept the room open for post swim showers. The room door was already open. The housekeeper was in there! Poor lady! I stripped right there in from of her and pretty much pushed past her to get to the shower. What a relief! I filled the bath and stayed there chest down for a good 20 mins. Helen came up and got the coffee on! It was the best cup of coffee ive ever had in my life!

So, with the cold water weekend done, I am proud to announce that I have been placed into a team with the following amazing people:

Andy Wasley, Helen Braid, Jane Bell, Wendy Reading and Michael Mann
We are collectively known as 'The D.U.K.E.S.' Diabetes UK Extreme Swimmers

Together we are gonna take on the Channel. I can even tell you that our Pilot boat is called Seafare II. She's the last one on the following page :
http://www.channelswimming.com/escort-boats.htm

Hi Folks!

Just a quick post as I get ready for my Channel swim training weekend in Dover with Diabetes UK. Oh Joy!! 9 degree water and 20 mph winds! This is gonna be tough!

Many thanks to the wonderful folks who have sponsored me so far! 
You Rock!!

Please, please, help me get to £1000 this weekend! That would be awesome!

A few folk have been asking what we actually do at these training weekends. If interested, have a look below at the itinerary. NUTS!

I'll be sure to report back next week. (Unless something goes very wrong!)


Love to all,


Andy xx


Hi all,

Apologies for the long email but please read it carefully as it contains important information. The training weekend is fast approaching so I wanted to get in touch with a more detailed itinerary. Please note that the times below are subject to change. We are very aware that the water temperature is cooler than we would have liked and so we will be adapting the swims accordingly. The length of the swims will be adjusted on the day once we have a better idea of how people are getting on, so the times below are just an indication:

SATURDAY 11TH MAY

09:00-09:15: Arrive on Dover beach to register, ready for briefing at 09:15 - please be prompt!

09:15-09:30: Briefing

09:30-10:30: Change and first swim. Please note you will be split into groups for the swims and not all groups will be in the water at once. You will not be swimming for an hour!

10:30-11:00: Change into lots of warm layers

11:00-13:00: All groups gather in reserved restaurant area at Premier Inn. Tea and coffee will be provided and you will also be able to purchase food. Briefing about the event including explanation of how the channel swim relay will work, qualifying swims, on the day logistics, rules, etc. Q&A session

13:00-13:15: Return to the beach

13:15-14:30: Change and second swim

14:30-15:30: Change into lots of warm layers

15:30-16:00: Chance to ask individual questions

16:00-17:45: Free time

17:45-18:15: Briefing

18:30: Dinner

SUNDAY 12TH MAY

08:45 – 09:00: Arrive on Dover beach to register ready for briefing at 09:00

09:00-09:15: Briefing

09:15-10:30: Change and third swim

10:30-11:00: Change into lots of warm layers

11:00 - Head home

We will meet on the promenade between the Yacht Club and The Gateway flats on Marine Parade, about three minutes walk from the Premier Inn (http://g.co/maps/k7cj7).  I will be wearing a blue Diabetes UK jacket/t-shirt (depending on the weather!). Please note we can tailor the duration of swims 2 and 3 based on people’s abilities. Rob Healey will lead the swimming element of the weekend and will also be joined by Jon Ford and Stuart White. Rob is our swim coach and has completed many open water swims, most recently a round-Jersey solo. Jon took part in the Diabetes UK channel swim relay in 2010 and has also completed many open water events. He is doing a solo crossing of the English Channel in September. Stuart took part in our relay in 2012.

Attached is a list of kit that you should bring. Remember that the water will be colder than usual so you should pack all the warm layers you thing you will need and then pack some more! You will be very cold when you get out of the water and a t-shirt and hoodie will not be sufficient to keep you warm.


For those joining us for dinner on the Friday night I have booked a table for 7.30-8pm. I will be in the bar area from around 7pm with my colleague Lynsey and will be wearing a blue Diabetes UK t-shirt so you can spot me!

Finally, if you need to contact me over the training weekend please call 07880202547. I will be driving to Dover on the Friday but will return any missed calls as soon as I can.

If you have any questions about the training weekend please don’t hesitate to contact me. I look forward to seeing you all next week!

Kind regards

Hannah