I WILL CONQUER THAT CHANNEL...ONE INCH AT A TIME

Extreme swimmer sets record for swimming in the Antarctic

July 16, 2007 — Extreme swimmer Lewis Pugh has set a new world record for the most southerly long-distance swim, conquering the icy Antarctic waters at 65 degrees south. The 1 km swim follows just months after a record Arctic swim, making the British solicitor the first person to accomplish such a feat in both the world's coldest seas.

Sporting only a swimsuit, cap and goggles, Pugh took less than 19 minutes to complete the swim near Vernadsky, a scientific base on Antarctica, in water of 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) and heavy snow.

www.itnsource.com
Reuters 17880/05

Lewis Gordon Pugh North Pole Challenge

LewisGordonPugh — February 13, 2008 — Lewis Gordon Pugh became the first human to complete a long distance swim at the Geographic North Pole in nothing more than a Speedo, cap and goggles. By swimming in a region that was once completely covered in ice, Lewis showed the world that climate change is happening and we have the power to stop it. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sS8OcEwXNs)



Take a look at his great website:
http://www.lewispugh.com/pages/default.aspx

RIO 2016

VAI BRASIL!!!

The English Channel and the Channel Swimming Association

The CSA

The Channel Swimming Association is the governing body of English Channel swimming and since March of 1927 has been organizing and regulating all swim attempts. All the swims are officially observed by its designated officials and are faithfully recorded in the Association’s Official Handbook. Many Long-Distance Swimmers strive to join the ranks of the famous few, who have conquered “The Channel” in the Strait of Dover and, to have a successful swim officially ratified and recorded by the CSA represents the highest swim pinnacle of success. (Extracted from the CSA book ISBN 978-1-906299-31-6)


Captain Matthew Webb was the first person observed to have successfully swum from Dove, England to Calais, France in 1875. His crossing time was 21 hours and forty five minutes.


On August 6th 1926 Gertrude Ederle, a nineteen year old American lady, was the first woman to swim the Channel, from England to France, in 14:39 hours, setting a new world record.


The CSA also set rules for relay teams, allowing them to be authenticated. Relays of 2,3,4,5,6 swimmers are allowed. On July 6th 2002, I was part of the San Francisco Sunrisers, a six man relay team. We crossed the Channel in 13:03 minutes. I had the chance to start the swim from Shakespeare Beach, swim the 7th hour and I had the honor to swim the 13th hour and the remaining 3 minutes, finishing the crossing with my teammate, Rhys Ludlow.


From left to right: Jim Miller, Dan Needhan, Steven Ray, Edison Peinado, Pedro Ordenez and Rhys Ludlow; celebrating the crossing.

The Five Coves of Death / Cinco de Mayo Swim

On May 5th 2010 at 5PM The South End Rowing Clubs held its annual Cinco de Mayo Swim aka The Five Coves of Death. In this event swimmers attempt to swim 5 coves; about 1 mile each cove, with water temperatures ranging from 54-56F. This event was created years ago by Bill Horgos, a South End Legend, and it is a qualifier for the famous Bay to Brakers Swim; a 10mile swim from the Bay Bridge to Ocean beach, event to happen at the end of May. Tequila shots are optional after every cove.

I started the swim by myself at 2:30PM and at 5PM 40 swimmers joined me for their five coves attempt. It felt great having company around me every cove I swam.


As part of my training schedule I used this event to attempt a 6 hour swim. The Channel Swimming Association requires at least one 6 hour swim in water temperature below 60F, one swim cap and one swim suit, in order for a swimmer to qualify for a solo crossing attempt at the English Channel.

Kim Howard, Captain of The Penaat, piloting the swim.


The South End dock became one big feeding station for the swimmers.

By 7:30PM most of the swimmers had completed their many coves and I was still soldiering on, committed to my 6 hour attempt.


My wife Kim Howard had been rowing/piloting the event since 5PM and after 7:30PM she became my personal pilot, making sure I was doing alright and committed to the 6 hour challenge.

In this picture I am on my last hour, doing laps to and from the Flag. Every round trip I did would "buy" me 15 minutes in the water.

After 6:05 minutes in the water and without daylight, it was time to finish the swim. As I approached the South End and the Dolphin dock to swim my last yards I looked up at the South End dock and saw all my beloved friends screaming and cheering me, it brought tears to my eyes!



Even tough I had already qualified for the Channel on September of 2009, this 6 hour swim was key to my training schedule since I was able to stay in the water for 6:05 hours in temperatures below 55F, boosting my confidence towards my solo crossing.

Celebrating the qualify with Kim and looking for a pen to get that "piece of paper"(6 hour certificate) signed!