It took us over 14 and a half hours, but we made it to France!!! A big thank you to all of you that have been busy sponsoring us, we are now on the cusp of reaching the eleven thousand pound mark - and that's just online!!

 

 

We'd love to reach our £16,000 target so any of you who've yet to sponsor us please log on and keep that total rolling!

 

Thanks and love from Los Nadadores

I got the call from Eddie, our captain, at around 11am this morning giving team Nadadores the go ahead for a 2:30am start tomorrow morning - which means that we'll be swimming through the night..!! Glow sticks are at the ready and nerves are jangling

 

We'll all be turning in early tonight, that's for sure

 

A big thank you to everyone who has sponsored us

 

Lots of love,

 

Los Nadadores

Quick update...everyone is doing very well with their training and are now just counting the days until the window for swimming is open.

 

Millie and I went to join a triathlon training session in the Serpentine last night. We were not quite sure what to expect. But what we found was over 60 people in wetsuits training for various tris going on, especially this weekend at the Excel Centre.  We received quite a few strange looks as we were just wearing our swimming costumes but we jumped in none the less and started doing laps of the designated swim area. For Millie this was a completely new experience and had not encoutered the so many swimmers, pushing and shoving you out the way when you try and swim. Our fitness levels really shone through as we were very comfortably keeping up with people. The only problem was that we started to get cold as we swam in batches and then instructor announced that we would sprint to the end, get out run back and do it again. Not quite what we signed up to but it was fun none the less. 

 

Only 15 days to go....yipeee! 

 

The Octopus!

Sunday 19th July

 

Mark, Pandora and Ockie took part in the Bournemouth Pier to Pier event organised by the British Heart Foundation.  Over 1300 people took part, from all ages and sizes. Most people wearing wetsuits but we were wearing our costumes as we knew the 1.4 mile swim would be rather easy compared to the 2 hour qualifier. What we were not expecting was the huge rush of people into the water at the same time as trying to break past the huge waves that kept knocking us over and under the water.  Even though we had initally planned to stick together it was completely impossible and we quickly separated.  Mark went for the edge, Pandora and myself somewhere in the middle.   It was great experience to swim with others and surf the amazing rollers coming in.  I did a few strokes of breaststroke so as to take it all in!

 

We all managed to find each other at the end and realised we all finished within a couple of minutes of each other and it took us roughly 30mins, which I think was very good (although we did have the tide taking us down!).

 

After a lovely massage we all felt extremely tired but satisfied and realised that we probably could have kept going.  An excellent sign...showing how fit we all are and ready for the channel swim in 25 days time.  BRING IT ON!

 

The Octopus

All 8 team members are now officially qualified! After a late start on Saturday 18th July (due to Bealieu river not giving us permission to swim and a flat tyre) we managed to find a bay just before Lymington.  Rob, John, Dave, Pandora, Mark and Ockie wadded into the freezing colder water to start the 2 hour swim.  After the first 15mins, Pandora wanted to get out but we managed to pursuade her to stay.  After 30mins we were having group hugs to try and keep warm and boost morale.  Another lap of the bay we stopped to wave at the girls on the beach (Dana and Sophie), for some reason Dave thought it would be a good idea to take his swimming shorts off to wave and got attacked by a horrible bout of CRAMP!  Panic stations as he was in agony.  With all 5 of us crowding round him, massaging his legs, flexing his toes and holding him up we realised how funny it looked. Dave was naked!!!!

 

Even though it was cold and very tidal...everyone successfully managed to stay in the water for the full 2 hours.  Photos to follow shortly will show the full extent of how cold it was and exhausting.

 

After a huge chocolate over load we went onto the Master Builders at Bucklers Hard for a much needed and rewarding pint and BBQ!

 

Now...all we have to do is swim the Channel.

 

The Octopus

Hi,

 

Excellent news...Amy, Millie and Ockie have completed their 2 hour swim in Dover this saturday.  Although I would not say it was easy, it was definitely a strange experience to have gone through and very exhilarating!  What a triumph to have done it and now we can relax and enjoy the lead up to the actual swim.

 

Only 5 other team mates to do their swim...hoping that this will be done next Saturday down on the Solent.

 

The Octpus

Rob, Pandora and Ockie all braved it down to the South Coast for some fun, filled training on Saturday. We met early doors at 9am and headed down to Kimmeridge Bay...we were there not only to go for a swim but also to support the surfers!!!

 

After finding a lovely sea weed covered slip way we gingerly walked into the water...Pandora was beginning to regret her decision to join the team. Stating that she never really thought things throughly properly and this was impossible.   Finally after 5mins of squeaking in...we all got in and started the swim across.

 

After the initial coldness it began to warm up and apart from the sea weed it was a lovely swim across the bay. Even the rain did not dampen our spirits.

However, once we reached the other side we realised we had to swim back.  This was more difficult as we begun to get exhausted and cold.

 

Finally after reaching the slipway we clambered out in front of some bemused divers and into some warm clothes.   Quick drive up to the local cafe...mugs of tea and hot chocolate we finally managed to talk properly again and realised the enormity of swimming the CHANNEL!

 

After warming up and several chunks of galaxy...Rob and Pandora agreed to swim the next day.  Durdle Door was suggested!

                                                             

                                                                     

  Durdle Door

 

 

 

 

The Octopus.

Below is the link to the Charities Trust site that the team have set up to raise money for the 3 choosen charities - Julia Thomsons Memorial Fund, BrAMS and RNLI.

 

 

 

 

Everyone is now swimming in ernest and have realised the huge challenge ahead.

 

Lido and sea temperatures have risen to nearly 17C which is fantastic for us as it feels like a warm bath.  We still need to do our 2 hour each qualifying passage but hoping to do this before the sea temp rises too much.

 

Last week, a few of us visited Tooting Bec lido which is a staggering 90 meters long and boy did if feel long when just swimming one length. All the other swimmers were wearing wetsuits which made us feel very tough as we waded in trying not to squeek with the coldness.  Most of us managed between 30 - 40 mins of continual swimming which was excellent.

 

Sponsorship letter is almost ready to send out and hopefully we will start raising lots of money for the chosen charities.

 

Charities - we have changed our 3rd Charity to the RNLI.

 

Next meeting is on Wednesday 3rd June @ Tooting Bec Lido for 50 mins of swimming!!

 

Los Nadadores

We have finally set up a sponsorship web page that will collect all money raised for the 3 charities.

 

Please click on the link below if you wish to donate :

 

 

 

Only 56 days left until our opening slot on 13th August!

 

The Octopus