I sent Loretta the money for her book by paypal. Another $50 to the cause. My first international PayPal – very easy. Why can’t the boat captains use paypal? 1.5 hours of my life I’ll never get back, that.
Here’s what Loretta has to say about qualifying swims:
“Qualification swims. They are for your safety and to ensure you have a measure of a chance. It must be 16°c or under. It must be witnessed from start to finish. If you have a watch that takes an average temperature that will be fine. Or take the temp at the beginning and end. Any thermometer will do. The documentation is down loaded from the CS&of website. Along with a membership form and medical form. The qualifying swim is only good for 18 months so work back from your swim date. If you do a 6 hour swim for a solo it will also cover a relay. The documents ask is it from an event or a non event. Where it was held. What time did you enter the water. What time did you get out. What was the temperature. Name of swimmer boat slot and date of swim. Pilot. Who witnessed the swim. Their name address and signature. This is electronically scanned and sent back together with your medical which is done on the year you swim. Your membership form and then you pay your membership which is roughly£22. The team pays a one off fee for admin, observer and a one way relay fee costing approx £350 the bal of the swim is paid a few days before you swim . When you arrive in Dover seek out your pilot. Phone him to say your in town and as a team go see your boat and pay the balance of your boat to the skipper. It must be in cash if it is less than a week before the swim otherwise bank transfer or cheque or card if paying a week before your dates.”
This is very helpful and concise information.
So working backward, I could do a qualifying swim as early as January 2020. Brrr. But it would make the Swim Trek that year perfect. Or one of Loretta’s camps.
