Cambridgeshire horse racing security man John Creek plans to swim the English Channel in August in aid of charity. The challenge, dubbed “Fat Boy Swim II”, is the second time that John has swum the English Channel. However this time he is planning to swim to France … and back. Only 25 people have ever completed this challenge and if he completes this ‘Everest of swimming’ he will be the oldest man to do so.
He’s pictured on his first cross-Channel swim in 2012.
John said: “This is the biggest challenge of my life and not a decision I have taken lightly. The training and preparation seep into every part of your life and sacrifices have to be made both personally and by my family as a whole.”
Since completing his first cross-channel swim in 2012 in a time of 17.15 hours John has been building up to this challenge. After a winter in the pool, swimming at least a mile each day and open water training in the River Ouse in St Neots John has more recently been training in the harbour at Dover, for three weekends out of four to build stamina and fitness. From early August he will be swimming for ten hours on a Saturday and eight on a Sunday ahead of the planned challenge between August 22 and 30, depending on tides and weather conditions.
The challenge will be undertaken in accordance with the regulations set by the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation (www.cspf.co.uk). John will not have any form of human physical contact throughout the swim. His food will be supplied on the end of a rope from his support vessel. He will only be allowed to spend at most ten minutes out of the water in France before setting off again.
It’s in aid of Norfolk-based charity BUILD, which delivers social, learning and leisure opportunities for people with disabilities. BUILD charity chief executive James Kearns said: “I was amazed by John’s relaxed attitude to this huge undertaking and by the fact that John will be swimming for the same amount of time that most people will do in a full working week. We will be working with John’s supporters to make sure that his efforts result in making a real difference for people in Norfolk with disabilities. Funds raised from this enormous challenge will provide opportunities that mean our beneficiaries can access the same community based activities, learning and social inter-action that most of us take for granted, with informed choices and appropriate support.”
The challenge costs, training and travelling expenses have been funded out of John’s own pocket and are expected to be in the region of around £8,000. Supporters are being encouraged to raise more than that to help his chosen charity. To donate to Fat Boy Swim II and support BUILD, visit John’s personal page at Total Giving www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/fatboyswim2
John will be supported by an experienced pilot who will provide direction and rescue if necessary, but who is not allowed any physical contact with the swimmer. On the boat there will also be an observer from the federation to ensure the strict rules are adhered to. The English Channel offers a strong chance of meeting jellyfish, seaweed and the occasional plank of wood. It is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world with 600 tankers passing through and 200 ferries and other vessels going across daily.
To donate visit http://www.totalgiving.co.uk/mypage/fatboyswim2.
