Dover Training

Casting my mind back 2004, I vividly remember wondering whether the Dover Training Camp was really a cruel joke dreamt up by some demented Channel Swimmers with salt-addled minds. Many questions sprang to my mind: When does the training kick-off? Where do people meet? What do they wear for the swim? Do I need to bring anything else? What temperature is the water? How long will I have to swim for?

If you know these answers to these questions already, then hit delete now. If you live too far away (and are not called Rick) then hit delete now! But if you would like to train with a certifiable bunch of lunatics then read on!

1. When does training kick-off?

On the Saturday at the end of April/start of May (of the Bank Holiday weekend) in Dover Harbour. Training also continues on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday - unless you have come up with a very creative excuse like "I am getting married tomorrow", "My first child is due tomorrow" or "I am going to a Christening". Clearly the latter excuse needs to be circulated to the SmartGroup well in advance to be permitted!

2. Where do people meet?

In Dover Harbour on the stony beach next to the statue of the Miner. If you are coming down the motorway from London then as you approach Dover there are a series of roundabouts, all of which you go straight over until you see the signs for the Marina off to the right. Follow that road and then take the first left to proceed along the front. When you see the second shelter on the right that looks like a sailing boat and a statue of the Kent Miner on the left, park up. Buy a ticket for around 4 hours (on Sundays you can park in certain bays for free if early enough but otherwise Dover Council exact their pound of flesh for parking).

Proceed across to the beach and by around 9:30-9:45am there should be quite a crowd gathering!

For those with a technical bent (and Google Earth), click on this to get the exact location!

3. What do you wear for the swim?

2 swimming costumes (nice to have a warm dry one after the first swim and before the second one!). Cap (a standard kind of the thicker variety – The Channel General has been providing numbered ones last season to help counting you out and in – but bring your own for good measure). Googles. Vaseline for the tender bits (no insulation capabilities I am afraid). Suntan lotion (in the hope that it is beautifully sunny in May!). Flip-flops of the "Speedo across the bridge of foot" type (not the between the toes type since these are too hard to put on cold feet) to get you down and up the beach. AND A WATERPROOF WATCH (I forgot this on my first swim and didn’t make friends with the General when I stayed in for nearly double the time on my second swim by accident…oops! Luckily after a month or two she started talking to me again). And a nervous smile.

4. Do I need to bring anything else?

Yes! A waterproof bag with your name on a waterproof label (so the General has another way of counting who is still in!). A large and soft towel (some enterprising souls make towel tents which were very helpful by sewing 2 towels together). Warm long trousers (not too tight since hard to get on). Multiple layers (again easy to pull on - no buttons!). AND A HAT (no-one goes in who can't come out and put a hat on quickly!).

5. What temperature is the water? How long will I have to swim for?

Temperature is cold (you can check if you are a masochist but I wouldn't recommend it - better to know afterwards! Check out the Sandettie temperatures if you must).

How long do we swim? Well as long as the General tells you too…not a moment less or a moment more!

6. Any other questions

Happy to answer any that I can…just email me directly (julian@critchlow.org) or hit reply to this and ask the GoogleGroup community!

P.S. The answer was that sea training is a cruel joke dreamt up by some demented Channel Swimmers with salt-addled minds…and THANKS BE TO THEM!