PETER WALKER

CROSS CHANNEL SWIM
CSA 142
29/09/09

Swimmer: Peter Walker
Trainer: Tom Gunning
Ligger: MARTIN KETLEY, PETE NOWAKIWSRYJ, JOHN DICKERSON,
MARK STOUR, EAN SUMMERFIELD, CHRIS PITAK
Boat: Viking Princess
Pilot: Reg Bricknel
Crew: Ray Bricknel
Observer: Monello

Music: ©LittleMickyFingers
http://www.youtube.com/user/LittleMickyFingers

I joined the Viking Princess in Dover Harbour at 02:30 after Reg and Ray prepared the boat we collected Peter and his posse. Peter is a fireman from Essex and was accompanied by the rest of his watch (those that couldnt fit onboard took the ferry). My first meeting with Peter was a bit of a surprise as Ive never met a swimmer who comes aboard the pilot boat wearing a life jacket before.. Peter explained it was to keep him warm
OK..
We motored to Samphire beach and Peter shed his life jacket and donned a light coating of grease and slipped into the water to begin his swim at 03:41.
We instantly developed a problem.. Peter has a tendency to turn left, in fact he would suddenly go off at 90 degrees away from the boat. Throughout the day the boat rang to cries of observer and posse imploring him to head to France not Holland. We even considered swopping him to the starboard side so the boat would block his tendency to defect.
His tendency to wander not withstanding he made steady progress and hit a constant 60 Strokes Per Minute across the channel, slowing down slightly in the last few hours.
At his second feed Peter complained of muscle twinge in his shoulder and was given a pain killer on the next feed. The weather was perfect, the wind died down and the sea was totally calm, as we entered the South West lane we were treated to a beautiful channel sunrise with a clear sky, this weather remained with us throughout the day. At 11:30 we sighted a 3 masted schooner on the horizon called Blue Lotus bound for Spain.. very tempting to jump ship.

Peters friends onboard kept him going with a steady stream of support and good natured abuse and despite him slowing considerable he maintained his course, however he kept turning left and at one point was as far a 200 yards away from the pilot boat before he noticed he was going it alone.
We cruised uneventfully through the North East lane and passing the three mile buoy found ourselves to the West of the Cape when the tide turned. A little more effort earlier on in the swim would have put us on the Cape but we were carried only half a mile away by the tide, past Cap Gris-Nez. By now Peter was too tired for that final push that would
By now half of the Essex fire brigade was on the Cap cheering the wrong boat on.. Several frantic phone calls later and they were heading for Wissant beach, particularity Peters wife Shelia who was determined to meet him on the beach.
Were pushing in towards the beach now, the end is in sight, we are heading for the beach between Wissant and the Cap.. the sea is beautifully calm and in the distance, on the beach by Wissant we can see Sheila, all in white, rushing along the beach with her friends to meet Peter as he lands..
Its touch and go but after a burst of running (Vangelis in the background) she arrives just in time to greet Peter as he successfully walks ashore at 18:22 having swum the channel in 14 hours and 41 minutes.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• ENGLISH CHANNEL
• Cross channel swim
• CSA
• Peter Walker
• LMF
• Monello
• swimming

[mugsykets6]

Well done Mag, you're a legend.

(Look at the twit burning himself at 1.40!)

[sproutcentral]

Congratulations Lefty...I mean Peter.

Unusual seeing the water that calm, nice sunrise too.

Loved Micky's soundtrack.

[monelloswim]

@LittleMickyFingers

and you found a perfect piece mate

;-}}~

[monelloswim]

@LittleMickyFingers

all that gear..

great sound mate...

the swimmer used a a pair of goggles and a touch of vasaline to stop chaffing under the arms

lol

mikee

;-}}}~

[monelloswim]

@roadbiketraveller

you are indeed

don't forget Ozzy is also an observer

;-}}~

[roadbiketraveller]

Mikee - you know that although terrified of the water and very sea sick - I have to swim.

Will always follow on AIS. I am the official observer of the observers !!!!!!!

[baldyholly79]

Peter mate, you are a true warrior....respect!!!

[monelloswim]

@roadbikegarden

Bikey!!!

Venturing away from the shore?

very brave of you..

Thank you for watching and always following on the AIS

x x

[roadbikegarden]

Hi Mikee,

Time to watch just one today.

This is a good swim, another one I missed following on AIS as I was away.

Peter may be slow but what a BEAUTIFUL swimmer despite heading East on occasion. Yes ! -I now you know I hate the water, but I have to swim as a prerequisite for triathlon!

Super music from Prince Michael of the Fingers.

.x.

[tps607]

Congrats,Peter...musta been the LMF music brought you in ! **** (great shots Sir Merlot!)