Mark English Channel

Competitive

Master’s Times

2007

©ITLang 2007-2010 on behalf of ESLSS

27 year old life long Exmouth Swimming and Life Saving Society member Mark Westaway has achieved a life-long ambition to swim the English Channel.

Mark set off from Shakespeare Beach, Dover. He took 12hours 51minutes to swim the 30 mile distance to Tardinghen Beach, France. Mark, who battled through eight foot high waves and driving rain to achieve his dream, said the swim had been the hardest and proudest moment of his life,

“You need a lot of self determination to do something like this, but you also rely on the people to work out your training schedule, time your swims, take care of your nutrition, and generally make sure you are in the right condition to get across the channel.” Said Mr Westaway.

For the first half of the swim Mark had the wind behind him and he made good progress across the channel towards France. As he neared the French Coast the weather worsened and he was forced to contend with high waves, strong currents, and a changing tide. These and a change in wind forced Mark back out to sea.

Encouraged by his support crew Mark against the conditions and his tiredness to become Exmouth Swimming and Life Saving Society’s fourth solo channel swimmer.

A spokesperson for the club said, “Years of tough, dedicated training have gone into the preparation for this incredible sporting success. Mark put in hundreds of lengths a week and many miles in the sea swimming off the coast at Budleigh Salterton. With fellow Exmouth open water swimmers Mark also took part in marathon open water races around the country, particularly in the Lake District, as part of his training.

Trained by open water coach and fellow channel swimmer Alan Franks, Mark wore only a pair of goggles, trunks, a hat and grease to complete the marathon swim within Channel Swimming Association Rules.

Mark Westaway English Channel Swim 08