Updates and Reports on Channel Swimmers from Perth, Western Australia
- 27th July 2009
The Barracuddas Adult Team commenced at 3:00am (10:00am Perth time) and successfully completed their channel crossing in a time of 9 hours 5 minutes. Not a WR but the fastest ever team, to date, to swim on a spring tide. It was good conditions for the first half of their journey, but conditions in the last half deteriorated and it was rough going. A fantastic effort - CONGRATULATIONS to Jerm., Toby, James, Dom., Kristy and Curtis! who swam in this order.
- 28th July 2009
The Churchlands High School team # 1 'Barracudas Sharks' consisting of Jess, Kelsey, Renae, Zoe, Andrew and Daniel, commenced their swim at 4:30am UK time and still swimming as I type.
You can follow their progress on board their Pilot Boat 'Anastasia' on the following website -
SUCCESS! Just been informed that Churchlands team # one crossed the channel in 9 hours 41 minutes in aweful conditions. CONGRATULATIONS champs!
- 31st July 2009
The Churchlands High School team # 2 'Barracuda's Stingrays' swimmers in team order: Shannon, Casey, Adam, Rachel, Benji and Sarah, have started their journey leaving shakespeare Beach at 6:00am GMT (2:00pm Perth time). The weather is looking good - swim well champs, and they did just that. CONGRATULATIONS!
- 1st August 2009
Selwyn Jellie - Double English Channel Crossing Swim was cancelled after 1 hour 5 minutes -WAY too rough - 18-20 knot winds, 3-5 ft waves - some were 6-8ft!!!! Other swimmers in the water had their swims cancelled also. Selwyn's crew said it was so rough you could not stand without seriously holding on to something with TWO hands--for just that short amount of time on the boat they have some heavy duty bruises''. The pilot called it a practice swim.
- 2nd August 2009
Selwyn has another chance - The morning started with sunshine and calm waters but unfortunatly the weather turned around for the worst gale force winds with up to 10ft. waves. Besides Selwyn, there were other swimmers attempting solo, double and even a triple crossing. The weather was so bad most swimmers had to abort their attempts.
WELL DONE Selwyn - to swim for 11.5 hours in these conditions is a great physical and mental achievement.
I am still training in Perth and leave for UK on 7th August '09. Hoping the 'Channel Gods' will be kinder to me.
8th August '09
Have arrived safely in Dover UK.
Please follow my journey on http://www.twitter.com/engchannel1el
Just Keep Swimming - A Breathtaking Experience
