UPDATE: SWIM WAS COMPLETED IN 12:19. Many thanks to all who watched and supported the team. Denis will post a more complete account and expression of gratitude in the coming days.
2023 DC Marathon Swim - English Channel Special Olympics Event
This August and October, 2023, InnerTides, WaveOne Open Water, and Special Olympics unite for truly unique and inspirational swims. Denis swims the English Channel during the second week of August to bring awareness to Special Olympics swimmers Jennifer, Luke, Rose and Carl who will swim the 21 mile DC Marathon Swim October 1. The combination of energy, talent and the resources of all our communities is the key to elevate potential over perceived limits. Each of us makes a difference. Please help us create new realities by clicking the button below.
How do you track an English Channel swimmer?
There are two ways in which you can track Denis’ 2023 English Channel swim. First, add yourself to the WhatsApp chat group, “Denis’ EC Swim Forever”. Here is the link to join:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/HBO7kihJGY01Knyxwp7Vne
The chat will have updates about the start date/time, news, pictures, and other information from the crew throughout the swim. It is also a way for you to communicate with Denis during the swim, via the crew. Denis’s crew is his older children, Norah, Christina, and Sean. Charlotte, Ryan and Tommy will be with him in spirit from land.
The second way to follow the swim is via live tracker by following the “dot” attached to the boat High Hopes, piloted by Simon Ellis. Go to the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation site, SWIM TRACKS,
The page will look similar to the screenshot to the left or below. Complete the following information:
Boat: High Hopes
From: Time: Use the estimated start time (note Dover time is Eastern time + 5hrs); Date of start; _10_ August
To: Time: Use the estimated finish time Add 20 hours to be safe (note Dover time is Eastern time + 5hrs); Date of finish (same day as start usually); _10_ August
Frequency: Every 15 minutes. LAT/LONG: Decimal
Click SUBMIT
You may need to refresh the page periodically.
WHAT MAKES AN ENGLISH CHANNEL SWIM?
The English Channel, also know as the “Everest” of swims, presents unique challenges beyond endurance. Critical for a successful swim is an experienced boat pilot that chooses the day, start time and plots the swimmer’s course based on swim speed, currents and tides. Pilots are typically booked 2 years or more in advance.
Although 21 miles across as the crow flies, the swim track from Dover to Calais is serpentine due to the push of the tides. Before stepping into the water, a sufficient weather and wind window must be present to provide ample opportunity for a complete swim. No small order in the constantly changing patterns of the North Atlantic.
The most favorable tide to swim is a neap tide which falls in between the stronger spring tides. During this period, the moon’s gravitational forces are less, creating less current. In addition to navigating tides, cold water tolerance is critical to endure 12 or more hours in the low 60sF/17C (No wetsuits are allowed).
Finally, the swimmer’s crew is of primary importance for supporting, feeding and communicating needs and conditions. The crew is also the main source of moral support. They know the swimmer and know when issues arise or how to modify the plan to promote progress throughout the swim. The swimmer may be the person in the water, but the crew is equally important to a successful swim.
Carol Wortman’s English Channel track July 21, 2023
Wind conditions July 30, 2023 from Windfinder
Dover Harbor from Dover Castle