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GREAT
NOVA SWIM CHALLENGE
It’s my
father’s fault. His advice to me was volunteer for everything. Of
course he denies it and claims that his advice was NEVER volunteer
for anything, but by then it was too late and the damage had been
done.
So when
Nova marketing director David Hart proposed that I do every single
wave of the 2009 Great North Swim I jumped at the chance
Nova, the
brains behind such events like the Great North Run, have taken
their knowledge and specialised organisational skills into the
swimming arena with amazing success.
In 2008
there were 2,500 swimmers who went off in ten waves, however the
success of the fist Great North Swim was so massive and the demand
for places so big that that in 2009 Nova decided to expand the
field to over 6,000 swimmers with a total of 24 waves in two
days.
On top of
that Nova added a further three swims to the list - the Great
London Swim, the Great Scotland Swim and the Great East Swim and in
my excitement I suggested that I try for all the waves of all the
Great Swims – 42 in total.
How hard
could it be?
Before I
knew it I had arrived at London Docklands for the Great London Swim
not really sure what to expect. I had six waves to do and the
nervousness, that never went away, started to flutter in my
stomach. The Great North Swim was obviously going to be the one
that was going to decide whether this challenge was successful or
not but that did not mean the others would be easy.
They
weren’t. I took each one as a separate race and decided to swim as
hard as I could for each one. I loved it. The atmosphere was
amazing and I was overwhelmed by the support from Nova and the rest
of the swimmers. I was lucky that I got to speak to so many people
who helped calm my nerves and inspired me with their
stories
British
Gas are the main sponsors of the Great Swims and I am impressed
that so many of their staff were giving it a go and took a genuine
interest in not only what I was trying to do, but what all the
swimmers were trying to achieve.
Next on
the list was the Great Scotland Swim up in Strathclyde Park. I know
knew what to expect and because there were only four waves it was
suggested I swim with the elite men in their race, which would take
the total of waves up to 43.
Standing
alongside them on the pontoon was nerve wracking but kind of cool
too – these guys are fast but to actually see them disappear within
a couple of strokes really puts you in your place. I think they
were all showered and changed by the time I finally crawled out.
Strathclyde Park was another great venue though – a little
rougher and choppier due to some wind - but I enjoy that kind of
swimming.
The big
one was looming and preparations did not go well. I came down with
some virus a week before and was unable to eat anything solid. I
was bed-ridden and I did not swim at all. Instead I panicked and
worried and seriously considered pulling out. The doctor wouldn’t
see me in case I had swine flu and most of my friends were urging
me to rest rather than swim. My wife told me to give it a go though
– go and do your best, see what happens and see how you feel. You
have nothing to lose.
I headed
off to Windermere for the Great North Swim full of doubt. But
there is something special about facing the unknown. There is the
fear, and in my case, always plenty of self-doubt that I have
to constantly battle with - that feeling that once you do start to
dig deep there is nothing there and you are found wanting and way
below the standards you have set for yourself. But it is a powerful
and liberating feeling too – one way or the other you are going to
know a little bit more about yourself at the end of it
all.
The first
four waves went according to plan. Who needs Tamiflu? All you need
are five bracing miles in the open water! I tried not to think how
many waves I still had to do or get caught up in any races. I
concentrated on my stroke, my breathing and tried to soak up the
incredible venue.
If I
thought the support I got in London and Scotland was good, I was
blown away with the response I got at the Great North Swim. The
support was incredible and the Nova staff made sure I had
everything I needed and were always on hand to guide and help me
with a smile
Then there
were the rest of the swimmers. From the lady who had only learnt to
swim after she sent her entry form in to the first disabled man to
have swum the English Channel. They were incredible and gave me
plenty of inspiration to keep on going.
Apart from
an unlucky kick from a swimmer at the start of the fifth wave that
hurts my shoulder, I got through Saturday by the skin of my teeth
but at the time had no idea how I was going to get through another
12 waves on Sunday.
Sunday
felt like Ground Hog day. I battled through the first six waves and
then the wheels fell off. I could not feel the water at all, my
shoulders were in agony and I felt like I was going
backwards.
At the
best of times, I am not a pretty swimmer. I don’t effortlessly
glide or cut through the water. I bludgeon my way through, relying
on brute force to drag myself forward. It’s not pretty, but it has
worked well for me in the past. However, after 18 waves, I had no
power left and desperately tried to slip-stream off the swimmers
pouring past me
As I was
pulled out of my 22nd mile I hear someone shout : ‘Quick jump on
the back of the buggy!’ Buggy….… What buggy??
Seeing my
exhausted state, Nova had sorted out a golf cart sorted to race me
from the finish to the start. It is seconds really, but enough time
for me to grin and get some more fluids down. Afterwards I am told
it was exciting stuff: ‘Will he make it back in time? Can he keep
on going?’
23 waves
may have merged into one but I remember the last wave of the Great
North Swim like it was yesterday. I could hear them counting down
for the final wave and felt elated as I plunged in for one final
time. The plan was to take my time, but as soon as I am in all
thoughts of taking it easy evaporated. I was tired, sore and my
whole body felt waterlogged. I felt very emotional being pulled out
after that final mile, and once again was totally humbled by the
support I received.
The end is
in sight and I have mixed feeling as I head to the Great East Swim.
Knowing that to finish the Nova Great Swim Challenge I have eight
miles to do, however with so many waves already under my belt I
should be an old hand at this but the butterflies start
again.
I am swept
along on the wave of the support once again and before I know it I
am on my last wave. I feel a bit of melancholy and I will miss the
Nova crew who looked after me so well. I am deep in their debt.
Without them I would not be preparing to face the final
mile.
Steve
Parry and Alan Bircher are swimming the final wave too - Steve is
keen to swim with me but I can also sense he is up for giving Alan
a run for his money. The hooter goes for the final time and I push
off after Alan and Steve with everything I’ve got. I hang on for as
long as I can - which is about five strokes. I love it though and
try to stop laughing at the ridiculousness of what I am trying to
do - even if I hadn't swum all the other waves there would be no
way I could keep up with them. But it's fun trying!
With 500
metres to go Steve stops and waits for me and we swim in together -
it's a nice moment and I appreciate the gesture. I feel
elated and honoured and once again am overwhelmed by the
reception.
When I
started in London I had no idea of the fuss that would be made of
this. I expected to fly under the radar; sneak into each wave and
just get on with it. But behind me I had the best support team
anyone could ask for - the crew of Nova International went above
and beyond what was expected of them and it was them who got me to
the finish line. It has been a fantastic journey and one that I
will always remember.
However
even with the aches and pains still in my shoulders I am already
questioning whether I could have gone faster; whether I could have
gone for longer. And the answer is always maybe next time, maybe
next time…
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