Completed

Posted: Sunday 27th July 2008

Nuala completed her English Channel swim in a time of 12 hours 55 minutes.

Nuala started her swim with the sound of a horn at 4.22am on Saturday 26th July 2008 from Samphire Hoe (between Dover and Folkestone). The support crew on the pilot boat were: her brother Ian; neighbour Ian; Dave Hobbs; Susan Maclean and support swimmer Chris Bumby - as well as an official observer and two crew members.

The conditions were good with a gentle off shore breeze but this incredible endurance achievement was not without drama. The swell and wash was huge from passing ferries and huge cargo ships which would be best described as like watching a block of flats sail past you!

Sickness early into the swim had to be conquered. With just 2 ½ hours under her belt, Nuala was unable to keep any food or drink down, almost certainly meaning she would be unable to finish. Finally able to keep food down (such as bananas, sports gels and fruit in syrup), Nuala got into good form keeping up a strong stroke rate of between 58 and 60 strokes per minute throughout the whole swim.

Drinking and feeding were broken down into pre planned 30 minute sections, which served as good points of focus at low points, so Nuala was never allowed to think about the distance, but just the next 30 minutes.

For the last ½ mile, the pilot boat couldn't go in due to the depth of water. Nuala was then followed by a small dingy into the beach in France. Once on shore she was swamped by a crowd of about 50 French tourists on the beach enjoying the sun, congratulating her and offering biscuits.

Once back on board and after congratulations and hugs from the crew and support crew all that remained was to head back to England.

Nuala was unable to keep any food or drink down for the return journey of 3 hours with several bouts of sea sickness. Upon arrival back in Folkestone harbour, she was greeted by a large group of friends and family, where champagne was sipped on the quay side.

Nuala has raised over £5000 for Mind – The Mental Health Charity. To make a donation copy into your browser http://www.justgiving.com/nualamuircochrane2

For further details of the swim read the blog http://swimnualaswim.blogspot.com/.

There is also a video at http://uk.youtube.com/user/monelloswim

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