I forgot to include the notes I took while talking to Loretta – here are my delightful jottings:
- Eddie – read contract
- paperwork in on time
- qualifying swim october before the year before. – she has one at paar in cornwall that would work. She’ll send details
- April in the year of the swim – acclimatization camp
- The Channel Swimming Manual
- Stay in Cornwall – beaches coming out of their ears. Look it up on the web – big open water community. Local sea pool. Stay in Paar. Paar sands holiday park – hire a chalet. 3 bed place.
I did go ahead and contact Loretta on FB to get a copy of her book (her husband’s book actually). At £30 it is well worth the info she provided during our talk. She’s going to get back to me when she gets home from the swim camp she’s running now.
I looked at Cornwall – faarrrrr from the Channel – 5 hours by car. I still like Canterbury (not knowing anything about anything).
I just emailed Eddie to get the contract and arrange payment.
Cleaning up some sticky notes on my desktop, I found these links:
- http://cspf.co.uk/pilot-eddie-spelling
- http://www.channelswimming.net
- https://www.swimtrek.com/packages/swimming-holiday-channel-and-long-distance-training-mallorca
I am booking two boats. Am I crazy? I think I am crazy like a fox. A fox who will be out £600 instead of 300, but yolo?
Paul Foreman is the second pilot I’ve selected – Loretta touted him for empathy. And she touted Eddie for making sure a swimming gets across. I can’t lose… right?
I am hoping he still has the first slot open for July 22-30, 2021.
In his email he also suggested Kent Coastal Swimming Challenges to train with a boat. It costs considerable moolah. Seems like Loretta’s camps might be a better option.
Here’s the thing – even if I fail, look at all the amazing things I am going to get to do as part of this thing. Live in England, train in Mallorca (maybe), meet lots of amazing people, and swim a whole bunch. There really is no failure here.
Eddie got back to me – it seems there’s no rush on the payment and paperwork. Simon Ellis sent me more details on his policies – with him you don’t pay the booking fee until January 2020. That’s a load off if it’s the case with Paul and Eddie as well.
