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An Island Games sailor, and a former competitive swimmer and rower, are among the group of six islanders who will swim the English Channel as a relay in July in a bid to raise funds for the JSPCA.
Under the direction of Swim Smart coach, Andy Truscott, Simon Du Feu, Rhiannon Gribbell, Danny Richardson, Phil Gaudin, Nicky-Holgate-Smith and Emma Bateman are currently training for their relay, scheduled between 17 and 21 July 2021.
The team will be taking to the waters in a bid to raise £4,500 for the JSPCA, a target which they are now really close to reaching.
This week, Express is presenting each of the participants. After Coach, Andy; swimming teacher, Nicky and photographer, Danny, it's Emma Bateman and Simon Du Feu's turn.
St. Catherine’s Sailing Club has been Emma’s “second home” since she could walk. In addition to sailing for Island Games team, she has enjoyed many races over the years, including the Round the Island race, Guernsey to Jersey intercup racing and a multi-day race from Jersey to Concarneau.
Recently, Emma has also been taking part in a few triathlons and cites the Ironman 70.3 in Portugal and the Jersey Triathlon among her most memorable.
The relay swim will be her first challenge dedicated entirely to swimming.
I recently took up triathlons a few years ago, so since then I have been regularly swimming in the sea. However, this is the first winter of sea swimming and the first time I have had to ditch the wetsuit!
Having sailed since I was young, I am used to being on the sea over winter, just not in it!
The sense of freedom and being at one with nature. I have done a few sunrise swims recently and it just makes you feel so alive and appreciative of living in Jersey.
Video: "I have done a few sunrise swims recently and it just makes you feel so alive and appreciative of living in Jersey," Emma said.
With my sailing background, I am pretty comfortable in most conditions on the water, however being in it is another story! I am excited but nervous, especially after a jelly fish to the face experience which left a scar for a month or so!
I have been thinking about doing a swimming specific challenge for a while, and then I followed Sarah Thomas doing the four-way English Channel Swim and just thought that was such an incredible achievement.
When I saw this challenge, I was so excited to take part and knowing this was to raise money for the JSPCA makes it even more special. My family adopted a dog from the JSPCA when I was young who had suffered serious neglect so giving back to such a worthwhile charity is hugely important to me.
Currently I am getting into the sea at least three times a week, trying to get used to the cold. It is a bit of a struggle with pools closed to try and get the volume/time in so at some point soon, I might need to start double sessions! Perfect excuse to go out and buy more swimming costumes!
The best, meeting and training with the team knowing we all must be a little crazy for signing up to this!
The worst, trying to exit the water after swimming when you can’t feel your feet!
Pictured: Simon (in the middle) with fellow relay swimmer Rhiannon Gribbell and Coach Andy Truscott.
Simon has been swimming since a very young age and competed in the UK and France as well as relays at the National Championships.
After leaving competitive swimming as a teenager, Simon qualified in lifesaving and lifeguarding and took part in a number of competitions and championships in Guernsey, the UK and Florida.
Simon then took up coastal rowing with the Jersey Rowing Club and was part of the winning Sark to Jersey crew three years in a row, including the 2014 ‘Team Logicalis’ in 2014 which to this day still holds the Sark to Jersey record as well as the overall rowing record for the circumnavigation of Jersey.
Simon, his family and some friends started swimming in the sea at least once a week over the winter.
Always on the lookout for another challenge, Simon didn’t think too long about joining the relay team to raise as much as possible for the JSPCA. The charity is close to his heart, as Barnacle (or Barney for short), Simon’s sea-faring doggy friend, will often be seen with him in or on the water for some of his sea swims.
Pictured: The team training at Archirondel.
I’ve been in around and the sea and swimming for as long as I can remember!
Not needing to tumble turn every 25 metres! The freedom and variety of being able to swim wherever and whenever you like and that every day the weather and tide is different!
I am grateful for the opportunity and to be sharing the challenge/experience with a great bunch of people.
I was hoping to put another tick on my bucket list! I needed to find another personal challenge to work towards and importantly to raise much needed funds for the JSPCA.
I have been swimming in the sea regularly (without a wetsuit) throughout the winter with the team, family and friends.
The best part is sharing the experience and the exhilaration of being in the cold sea with a group of like-minded people.
The worst part is the thought of early morning swim training again!
To donate to the team's fundraising page, click HERE.
Relay Channel swim to raise funds for animal shelter
(Lead picture credit: Danny Richardson)
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