Seven Jersey sea swimmers battled tough swells and seasickness to complete a gruelling 41-mile relay around the Island – raising more than £3,500 for a charity which helps people with disabilities experience the freedom of the ocean.
The Jersey Jelly Tots spent 11 hours and 45 minutes circumnavigating Jersey after their challenge went down to the final day of a weather-hit swimming window – with some team members struggling with sickness along the way.
The seven-strong team – Ailie Brown, Ann Pallett, Zoe Spencer, Julia Aston, Sadie Picot, Nicky Holgate-Smith and captain Karen Wasilewski – took on the challenge in aid of Healing Waves Ocean Therapy, which provides adaptive surfing and water-based experiences.
They have so far raised £3,580, exceeding their expectations.
The team tell the story of their challenge below…
The Jersey Jelly Tots swim together year-round. Some of the team have completed other swim relays together, notably a six-person all-female relay from Jersey to France in 2023.
Team member Julia Aston experienced solo swimmer in her own right has also completed a solo Round Island swim among others in previous years. We decided it was time to undertake another challenge and agreed on the Round Island Relay.
We were delighted when Neil Faudemer agreed to be our boat pilot again. Fred Maynard also returned as our kayaker, and team member Sadie Picot recruited her husband, Ian Picot, and John Le Signe to pilot the Jersey Sea Cadets’ RIB as safety cover for the stretch from Elizabeth Harbour to Green Island.
Once the team and crew were assembled, we chose a charity to support. Team member Ann Pallett suggested Healing Waves Ocean Therapy, an amazing charity that supports her son, Ryan, who is blind and has learning difficulties. Ryan attends adapted surf sessions with Dom Booth, Max Wiltshire, and the Healing Waves team in the summer, and accesses the FlowRider at the Merton Aquadome in the winter. As Ann says: “These sessions make such a positive difference to Ryan’s life, as it brings him so much excitement, a sense of inclusion, confidence, and freedom.”
The team trained hard through rain and shine, knowing the relay would be difficult, especially around the north coast due to the swell and strong currents. We were given a window from August 29 to September 1 by Neil Faudemer. The weather was challenging, and it was touch-and-go whether we would need a backup plan.
Ultimately, the swim went ahead on the final day of our window, Tuesday, September 1st, starting from the Elizabeth Harbour wall at 8:54. The team had to dig deep throughout the challenge, drawing inspiration from those who have gone before us.
We also received tips from legendary swimmer Graeme Lowe, who was on the support crew for another boat that day.
The sea swell and conditions were indeed tough, leaving some of us battling seasickness while others coped with questionable music choices!
Sadie Picot brought us home to Elizabeth Harbour where the team gave her a guard of honour and the time stopped at 11 hours and 45 minutes.
We then found our way to the St Helier Yacht Club for a celebratory drink where to the team’s surprise, Fred Maynard had commissioned some beautiful plaques by Bob Auffret. Bob kindly gave these to us without taking a fee and we can all say they sit proudly in our homes today.
We would also like to thank Channel Islands Co Operative for our food and drink vouchers, which kept the team and crew going.
The Jersey Jelly Tots team would like to thank everyone who has sponsored us. The current total sits at £3,580, which has exceeded all our expectations. Thank you so much.
Our final thanks go to our Crew Neil Faudemer , Fred Maynard , Ian Picot and John Le Signe. Without them, we could not have raised vital funds for Healing Waves Ocean Therapy.
