Congratulations to the butterfly relay team (Kevin Blick, Rob Ouldcott, Sam Mould, Boris Mavra, Robert Fisher and Mark Johansen) who heroically swam to France on Monday 10 August, Kevin Blick and his team take up the story about what happened…
THE IDEA OF A BUTTERFLY EGG
About nine months ago, putting together a team to swim the English Channel butterfly was either exciting and possible or absurd and insane depending on who you talk to, writes Kevin Blick. Today, Monday 10 August 2015, at just gone midnight we proved the possible was the right answer ...but only just.
A VERY TINY CATERPILLAR
The intense training and team bonding paid off. At the Serpentine we switched to 100% butterfly for both competitions and training. Building up from 200 metres to the coveted one mile fly title, and supplementing it with our own devised drills to help us relax, then progressing to one hour and finally two hour qualifying swims. [To qualify for a relay swim to France, all swimmers must swim for two hours in under 16C.] Then the training in Dover started which was a real shock learning to swim in heavy seas. This preparation was vital though and soon called upon on the day.
THE BUTTERFLY CHRYSALIS
Our swim started off fairly well at 4.50am. We met our observers and had the rules read to us. More than three stroke infringements during the day across the team would have disqualified us. Additionally the Guinness World Records said that they would recognise our attempt, but only if we beat 20 hrs exactly.
FLYING HIGH
The stakes were high. The sea was still lumpy from the day before but it soon settled down after an hour or so. Then we had a nice calm sea. After several hours we encompassed a lot of sea weed and jelly fish but managed to mostly navigate our way through it. Diving downwards in the fly stroke gives you a great view of what you are about to swim through. Then the wind started to pick up. Whereas in crawl a drop-off occurs with choppy seas. From experience butterfly can be almost half the speed in rough conditions. That's what happened and our track soon became difficult, but we plugged on, every team member exceeding my expectations in terms of what speed, what conditions or what stamina they had demonstrated on repeated swims.
WE WERE NOT ALONE
During the swim we had magical experiences. We saw a lot of pods of common dolphins (not common in the Serpentine though so I prefer to think of them as uncommon). Romantically I like to think that our rhythmical sinusoidal pounding of the ocean intrigued them as a fellow species... but the reality may be they thought we were fish in distress. Either way a pair of seals also thought the same and most unusually a large whale swam near us. We think it was a large minke whale and next time we would like to get it on the team. That was very special. Boris was upset that he didn't get to see it as he was swimming... but he also gets the badge of having swam with a large whale.
ONLY FOR THE CONTINENT
Coming close to France, it appeared we might overshoot Calais in which case we would be pulled out... I guess Neil Streeter the excellent boat pilot, would not have enough fuel to land us in Belgium? Then it seemed like we could touch France.. but our trajectory was Calais harbour wall. After the pilot quickly read the laws on this unusual set of circumstances. .. he realised that we would be arrested if we did that. So we battled back further West. The trouble with this is we had to cross the shipping lane exit... so shadow boxing with the ferries ensued. .. going up and down waiting for a chance to sprint across. The port authorities were concerned, but our pilot Neil pursuaded them that we could manage it. At that fatigued point to me, getting arrested and thrown in a French cell seemed like a nice idea. Also finishing in less than 20 hours seemed challenging. Still we got across and Rob Ouldcott managed to finish it in under 20 hours.
TIME TO SMILE
The team was fantastic. I helped them to get to this point... but in the end when I was suffering from my recurrent sea sickness, I was struggling badly and the team took over encouraging each other in only the way that fellow Serpies can do, and they all got me through this challenge. Whilst we all pulled our weight but are seasoned solo swimmers... Sam deserves a special mention for her first time swimming at night in heavy seas with the boat being blown close to her... not to mention butterfly... she proved she has got what it takes and as everyone (except me!). She did it with a smile.
TOUGHER THAN
At the end of the day I expected a tough challenge but it was tougher than I thought. I expected tough conditions but it was tougher than expected. I expected the team would pull through but the team was far stronger than I could have possibly imagined.
This swim was a life changing event and I am happy that we have completed it.
WEATHER AND WIND
The weather confirmed that we swam in Force 5 and 20 knots as mentioned by the pilot. Gosh, we had these winds from 5pm onwards! There were added elements for which individuals need applause. Sam swam to meet the needs of the boat pilot Neil who did something he has never done before, and made a swimmer swim into the tide for an hour thus holding her position. This allowed us to cross the shipping lane safely. That Sam swam hard for an hour just to hold her position is the stuff of a champion. This feat by Sam was so that Kevin, up next could turn us 90 degrees south and get across the ferry channel. It was a minor miracle, considering how sick Kevin was, that he was able to do this.
SERPS DELIGHT
The team were also delighted to receive support messages from the Serps club and the support it gave us. After midnight they were all up willing us to get to shore. This support really made a difference as we were struggling to finish and it gave us the boost to push it over the line. Their interest and acceptance of our escapade was infectious and the shared joy in our success is real.
NO CAKE
Some other things to add about our amazing journey include Nick Adams deserving our gratitude for doing his solo on Saturday. If he'd opted for our slot (as was his right to do) he'd have knocked out another fast solo before it cut up rough and been home in time for tea and cake.
CREDIT DESERVED
A special mention of credit to both James Norton and Rod Newing who made distinct contributions to the relay team.
AND WHAT KEVIN NEVER SAID
And the rest of the team had touched on this already, with Mark Johansen a one time English Channel soloist, adding "what Kevin did, not just in terms of putting this thing together and seeing that we made it to Shakespeare beach in good shape was his incredible bravery on the day. I've never seen someone so violently sick, but he got in and did every shift without complaint and was the only swimmer that did a whole fourth hour. An inspirational, brave and extremely dear leader."
And Robert Fisher also a one time English Channel soloist mentioned that point as well saying “dear Kevin sitting on the boat while you where having a rest below there was no doubt about the force five, white horses everywhere waves frequently two metres and boat trying to release itself of cargo.”
And Boris Mavra, who has completed four solos swims to France said “What a day in the Channel - I had a few over the last six years, but yesterday takes the biscuit. If you look at the track markers you can clearly see 'Kevin's shimmy' at the end when we played chicken with the ferries. You can also see where Neil decided to use Sam as the cannon fodder and make her swim against the tide to keep us away from Calais - something he said he's never done before. All's well that ends well - I look forward to soaking the glory next time we hit the pond - who's up for a fly mile tomorrow? (only joking!)"
SAM MOULD GIVES HER PERSONAL VERDICT
The final words must belong to Sam Mould, the lady who really showed her mettle when it mattered.
A GREY DAWN FOR KEVIN
Starting the day with a beautiful dawn, writes Sam Mould, the honk of Suva's horn and a lumpy sea; Kevin already a little grey round the gills started from Shakespeare beach and we were off. The sea quickly settling into a silvery-blue sheen of satin and as Rob took over the first of many pods of dolphins showed us a display of fins and jumps. Rob, thrilled as he was to know he'd completed his first swim was gutted to hear that the dolphins had made their appearance whilst he was working hard in the water. Mark jumped in next followed by Boris, and then Robert, which meant that my first swim was fast approaching.
WHITE CLIFFS AND BIG PEP WITH SHLEP
The iconic white cliffs had faded away and I was as ready as I'd ever be to jump in and take over from “the Doc”. Silly things worry you when you are in this position; don't touch the boat, don't touch a swimmer, basically don't touch anything for an hour. By the time I got to jump in we were already in the north shipping channel. Kevin as always came over to give me a final pep talk and installed the last bit of confidence I needed, so I leapt into the water a refreshing 17 degrees Celsius and started in a panic pushing into my fly stroke. It took forever to get a rhythm, but eventually it came and I became accustomed to the chugging of the boat and the shlep of the waves. I've never swam at sea before where you can't see the land, but it was frankly the most sublime experience and I loathed getting out as I was having fun surfing in the waves.
JELLYFISH AND MINKE WHALE
The next part of the adventure was in the mid shipping channel, essentially the central reservation between the two shipping lanes and all sorts of debris started to litter the surface, mostly weed and a smack of jelly fish. Kevin was going strong despite throwing up in the water with a vengeance as he swam dodging some over sized compass jelly fish, followed by Rob who was grinning in the water for the entirety of his second swim, despite being stung twice, once by a Blue Jellyfish that bounced rudely off his right shoulder and once round the neck by a Compass Jelly. Mark took over. I slept and missed both the seals and the majority of Boris pounding out his second swim apparently effortlessly. Then out of nowhere a Minke whale showed up to support us. Such a poignant moment; as though the creatures of the sea were on the look out for us.
ROBERT FACED A SWELL TIME
Robert took over at 14.50 at which point the swell was really getting up and the wind was rising. For the last few swimmers the water had looked heavy but I thought nothing of it as I was really keen to get back in and soon enough my turn came about again.
WHITE CAPS AND MY MINDFUL BASHING
In I went, and from the first stroke to the last was a struggle. By this time the conditions were rising from force 3 to force 4 being small waves of 1-2m with breaking crests and fairly frequent white caps. Occasionally, I had a rhythm for four or five strokes, but the boat was lurching in the wind, so much so that I was worried I'd get bashed by the boat; the sea waters swelled around me, every wave felt composed of two or three different waves pulling my body in all directions. Arms tugged to the right legs being pushed to the left, core stretched and neck hung; twisted, turned and rung out. I knew that I wasn't making much progress in these conditions; I barely heard the boat motor rev up, but the harder I tried, the sea just gave it back at me twice over. I was being popped out and smacked back down again, the water surface hammering my goggles into the bridge of my nose and orbits of my eyes. My mouth swelled with salt water and my stomach was washed with it as well. Every stroke I had to be mindful of keeping a legal stroke and I was overwhelmed by either walloping into the side of the boat or letting down my team. All thoughts of the Minke shot in and out my mind in joy and terror. I thought that I could see shadows flitting underneath me and in the middle of all that I distinctly remember Rob Ouldcott practically hanging out of the side of the boat making eye contact with me and spurring me on as though he believed in me.
A GREEN ENVIRONMENT
I got out of course to kind and supportive words from all my team and then watched Kevin get in greener than ever to struggle in the waves.
As the following swims occurred, we pushed harder to get out of the south shipping lane, Rob caned it for an hour and we moved a disappointing mile only, then Mark and Boris with the tide now fully against us we were being washed towards Belgium. Kevin was either vomiting like it was going out of fashion or sleeping. I slept below deck with the boat swinging from side to side, like an out of control theme park ride. The daylight started to fade and the swimmers lights came out. We dressed the Doc up like a Christmas tree and I watched him plunge into a stunning sunset. Pink light all over the water and with that I knew that I had to really psyche myself up for the next dip. The pilot was doing his best to stop us drifting past Calais; but the long and short of it was that our chances of making it to the shore were slipping away and we all knew it. It was 50:50 to land it.
FORCE FIVE AND EMBRACE THE FEAR
Robert championed on. I got changed at his half hour mark and stood on the deck out of the prevailing south-south westerly that had now risen to a force 5. I couldn't stop shaking, not from the cold, but from fear that I was desperately trying to hide from my team-mates. So, I thought to myself all I've got to do is get in. It was now dark, some stars were out and the seas loomed. A green spot light waved around on the sea's surface highlighting the caps, peaks and troughs. The boat was banging into the water. I could only vaguely see my team on deck as the lights from the boat shadowed them; but I knew that they were there. One stroke at a time I thought; make each one your best. Dig deep. I thought of John Tierney's' mantra; it only takes 'three good strokes'.
EVERY STROKE MATTERS
I swam the fly in degrees of undulating panic and calm whilst drifting in and out of the greys of the spot light. I thought about my family, my team-mates; each one of them and all of the time we'd given to this mad-eyed project, how much I didn't want to fail, to do my best, that every stroke I took was one less for everyone that followed me. It was both exhausting and exhilarating. I had to make every stroke matter. I had to concentrate, and concentrate hard. I literally swam my pants off, aware that I wasn't making much distance as the lights of Calais on the horizon felt almost static. It felt like I was swimming against a roaring tide and swallowing half of it in the process. It's such a strange experience as the boat makes you feel safe, the leading lights help reassure and your team make you feel safe and actually it's just an hour’s swim after all. Yet it's pretty scary as my first ever night swim. I got out dizzy and relieved to praise from everyone on deck.
I DIDNT GO WITH THE FLOW
With Kevin back in the water, the team explained to me that I had actually been swimming against the tide for at least half my swim. They further explained that now Kevin, weakened by sea-sickness amongst other things had to ferry dodge across to the shore. If you've never swum next to a ferry; it's enormous and off putting, not to mention the wake.
ELECTRIC PANIC ON DECK
Our pilot held Kevin in the water agonisingly whilst we waited for a window of opportunity from the disgruntled Calais Harbour master. Then it was on; a vessel disappeared into Calais and we watched as our exhausted team-mate swam 350-250-150-100m to go; not able to lift him out of the water until we had exited the shipping lane which felt like an eternity. I am not kidding when I say the atmosphere on deck was one of electric panic.
ROB LANDS IN FRANCE WITH BORIS IN SUPPORT
With the ferry spitting distance away, we exited our tense ferry lane situation and Rob, also an English Channel soloist, got in for the final 800m to shore, closely followed by Boris who volunteered for safety and support. We watched these two little green lights get further away and then before our eyes in the darkened smudge of shadows, two figures emerged to stand on the Calais beach. 19 hours and 15 minutes squeezes us into the Guinness Book of Records as the first ever English Channel Butterfly relay team. I feel elated and shell-shocked. I could have summarised the above journey in the word Epic; I think that the extra description tells the tale better.
LETS START AT THE VERY BEGINNING
For me I only started open water swimming in April 2014 thanks to Mark Fabik and Kristy McIntyre who introduced me to the Serps one one previous occasion in November 2013 and I have to say I feel incredibly lucky to know you all and would not have contemplated that this is something I could ever attempt. I have so much admiration for an extraordinary team of swimmers. The Butterfly Team that I am part of was a powerful tool in enabling us to accomplish this feat. Especially Kevin whose concept and vision drove the whole expedition. Not only this but we are part of a small club that is truly inspiring and supportive and I feel totally overwhelmed by everyone’s well wishes, advice and friendship that has enabled me to play a small part in accomplishing something completely beyond myself.
THE SUPPORT OF OTHERS
I would also add that Alice Gartland’s blog 'a lotus rises' as she has been an inspiration and support.
Neil Streeter and his co-pilot deserve a special mention for going above and beyond anything that they had to do for a channel relay and helped us achieve our goal successfully.
Thanks to Sarah Ouldcott for copious amounts of food preparation that kept us going!
A mention to Zoe and Kate for keeping it all ‘legite’ and kind words of encouragement and documenting our journey.
Chloe McCardel's three-way channel crossing day was an inspiration in history also!
Huge hugs and much love to my Butterfly Boys. Thank you for being totally awesome.
xx
