Rachel Reed's Cross Channel Swim

I swam accross the English channel on the 25th of September 2009 in 17 hours and 23 minutes. Over £1000 has been raised and being split between the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the British Stammering Association. I have a stammer myself. I has a fantastic crew: Janice and Marian did the filming.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Channel
• Swimming
• Stammering
• Sport

[Gerald56]

Awesome video, very inspiring and motivating.

Even though I have already participated in 24 hour swim races, I think a channel crossing is so much harder because of the cold water.

The low water temperature is the hardest aspect of the crossing, isn't it?

[RACHELHILDAREED78]

@Gerald56 Thank you. I think for me the hardest aspect was having to wait so long for the weather to sort out so I could go. Once you are in the water, it's all go. some people find the water temperature hard or the feeds or the time in there. You never know how long you will be out there and that can be hard for people. what swims did you do? Where do you train?

Best wishes, Rachel :)

[Gerald56]

First of all I would like to congratulate you for this amazing achievement.

No matter how many successes there are, they are celebrated as a first crossing. This is what I like about the channel.

I did a 24 hour swim, but that was in a heated pool with a wetsuit.

I am lasting for approx. 3 hours in 18°C water without a suit.

Salt water is supposed to feel warmer, some say. But I don't underestimate the cold water in the channel, given the fact that I weigh only 78 kg (170lb) / 1,85 (6'1'')

[RACHELHILDAREED78]

@Gerald56

thank you for your comment. If you can do a 24 hour swim, you certainly have the stamina. the qualifying swim you would have to do for the channel is six hours in 16 celcius or less. you could work towards that especially if you live near the sea or lakes. that would be a good first step. R:)

[spandulastic]

Absolutely awesome. Well done. I'm sure your family are so proud of what you achieved.

[RACHELHILDAREED78]

@spandulastic Thank you, they are very proud allthough have watched the movie so many times now :). Dad never tires of it :)

[Calilpaulo]

Rachel, can you write me your personal e-mail? i have a few questions to you. Thanks a lot.

[RACHELHILDAREED78]

@Calilpaulo Thank you, it was a fab day, well worth doing :)

[RACHELHILDAREED78]

@Calilpaulo Thank you for your kind words: I'd recommend doing this kind of swim to all who love the sea :)

[Calilpaulo]

Amazing video Rachel....congratulations for you and for your suport team. Hope to be there one day in my life!