The wait was over and after 3 days we had the go ahead from our Pilot. Team Golf were a GO GO GO. Delivering the news is always so exciting. As their coach and someone who has also been there waiting several times herself, its a super charged release of everything. Nervous for their nerves, Anxious about their anxieties but most of all totally excited that they would be getting the chance to swim The English Channel.

This team had been extremely patient whilst waiting in Folkstone, usually there are several weather app watchers amongst the team, but these guys knew it was out of their hands and left the weather watching to the Pilot. Making the most of their time away from busy work and family lives.

Team Golf had embraced the full channel training plan which had ensured they had all experienced the varied considerations that the channel can offer. Night swimming, jellyfish, currents, pace work, jumping off boats, relay practice, sea sickness, team work, self management and most of all fun. The team had battled their individual demons whether it was jellyfish or swimming in the dark, and each and every one were ready.

At 5pm we met at Folkestone Harbour, boxes packed with essentials and waited for the Harbour to fill with enough water to be able to get the boat out. The boxes certainly deserve a mention. I have a bit of an obsession around organisation and keeping an orderly boat. I truly believe a tidy boat makes for a more efficient relaxed experience and also to only pack the essentials. In the past we have had 24 piece cutlery sets packed and 100 Jaffa cakes, totally unnecessary, well until 1 team member forgot a fork anyway. I carry out a kit check several hours pre boat, 1 to check passport and 2 to check its not full of rubbish. At times swimmers have had to climb up the harbour ladders and when your carrying a heavy box, its not exactly what you need after 20 hours at sea. This team of delightfuls pulled a corker and had fake eyelashes, water pistols, armbands not to mention handcuffs . Loved it and really lightened the nerves that were brewing.

The team order had been chosen. Ben, Neill, Su, Rebecca and Deborah. All to do 1 hour swims until they landed in France as per Channel Swimming Association Rules. Non wetsuit and 1 swimming cap only. Onboard I completed the paperwork for the Observer whilst the team gathered their thoughts. It was time.

Ben was the first swimmer in getting the honour of swimming to Shakespeare's Beach and setting the team off on their Adventure. He stood on the beach , the horn blew and off and the swim began. There were several people on the beach who we believe now were there to see the Sink or Swim Celebrity Team off on their Relay team. But our focus was our celebrities. Each and everyone of them Superstars.
The team shouted words of encouragement as we all found our place on the boat. The team were reminded of "boat etiquette", don't turn your back to the swimmer when they can see you, don't shout as they will think something is wrong, keep the boat even with weight and enjoy each and every moment.

As the team settled down it became clear that 2 of those onboard were not feeling tip top. Despite taking precaution for sea sickness it can still creep up on you and we had Deborah and Dave fixed on the horizon. Not a great start and a worry as you just don't know how it is going to progress. Dave was support crew so no need to worry about him too much as wed been here before, but Deborah was 5th swimmer and had a long time on the boat to manage the nausea.

2nd swimmer in was Neill full of energy and raring to go. His swim would be ending as the night was drawing in so goggle lights were on and glowsticks in place. How exciting overnight swimming and reassuring as the team had completed an overnight 36km swim in preparation. A totally awesome experience but not great for the photographs.

3rd Swimmer was Su and in the darkness , focused and totally determined to get us nearer to France with every stroke counting. At times her focus was mis directed as she drifted away from the boat. Luckily we had our own light system so when the Pilot asked me to call the swimmer closer it was a simple job to do, and Su changed position more appropriate for the Pilot. At this point Deborah was a very nice shade of green, her eyes fixed on 1 spot, taking controlled inbreaths and Dave wasn't looking much better as he had propped himself in a corner with his eyes closed.

Waiting patiently was Rebecca, who did make me laugh on the boat, her little legs swinging off the boat bench as she was tossed from 1 side to the other when the boat rolled on the small swells. Rebecca launched herself into the darkness without a care in the world.

The time finally came for the sickest team member Deborah. I gave her as little time as possible to get dressed and ready to jump in as the longer I knew she had to move around on the boat the more I knew she would feel unwell. She put her race face on in true Northern style and tentatively jumped off the boat. The observer was aware that she had been unwell, but trust in me as their Coach reassured her that Deborah would feel better in the sea. I was happy that for at least that 1 hour she would be feeling better, and that it was all worth while.

The team continued to relay overnight with little drama and just a "can do " approach. Before we knew it dawn broke and the sandy beaches of France were clear. At this point as the team began their 3rd round our Pilot updated me that the hour stints were going to have to be strong hard swims in order to avoid the tide change. I relayed this to the team who gave it 110%. Neill and Su had a 2 tough hours and then the news you want to hear, the next swimmer Rebecca would take the team to France. In this situation the swimmer after is also allowed to go into the beach, but the Observer took one look at Deborah, who had literally just swam and slept the whole journey, questioning her ability. I woke Deborah up whilst Rebecca was gritting her teeth with sheer determination to get to France. I told her she needed to look lively and grasp the opportunity. 33 minutes later they had landed in France . 13 hours and 33 minutes.


This team did everything that was asked of them on this incredible journey and they got the result. Along the way raising excellent amounts of money for their charities. Take a look at this video of their experience.