This has been, may I say, the WORST. I can swim the Channel, no problem, but I can’t reserve the *&$%#% boat. Do I need to look at these contracts? I don’t know. Do I have any *&$%#% choice about the matter? Probably not. Are international wire transfers a *&$%#% pain in the *&$%#% butt? Most def.
Good to get that off my chest. And while I’m at it, these blessed channel pilots could be a weeeeee more helpful with all of this. I’m paying them the cost of a crappy car for a day’s worth of work… you’d think they could help a sister out. I am NOT feeling the love. Gahhhhhhhhhh!
OK, NOW it’s off my chest. Once I get their *&$%#% address and postal code. (whoops, not quite).
[2019 commentary – um, OK, so who was THAT girl? It really was seriously so frustrating and time-consuming, and I seriously still have no idea if I’m doing this right. On my to-do list for tomorrow (11/21) is contacting the pilots and trying to get some more information.
I want to explain here about the process of signing up for a Channel swim… I just wish I was sure I understood it myself. You absolutely need a boat, and you need to book that boat 2-3 years in advance to get a good spot (don’t make me go off on spring tides and neap tides). You pay about 300 Pounds to reserve a boat, and depending on which slot you booked (1st through 4th), you get first, second, third or fourth shot at the good weather. This is done by email, and pilots may or may not respond to you. You also need to register with your association, complete a qualifying swim, and pay a bunch more money. Hopefully I’ll be posting on 11/21 about what all that stuff is in detail. Because I’ve only been procrastinating for months.] ** Update – it’s coming, I promise.
