howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
1 November 2010
19:5277902#1
caught a bit on the news that the french coastguard want a ban on the above practice, they say that increased shipping and a dramatic rise in swims means that a collision is inevitable.
dover coastguard disagrees saying that the pilot vessels carry state of the art equipment to ensure that ships and swimmers do not cross paths.
since the inception of this hobby in 1875 there have been over 700 crossings but another 200 in the last year.
it seems that this has been fulled by charity swimmers that are following the lead of the comedian david walliams that crossed in one of the faster times.
i may have the full facts wrong so it may be worthwhile tuning into "inside story" on bbc1 at 7.30 p.m.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
1 November 2010
20:3777912#2
Not quite my understanding
Yes the French coastguard want it banned - it was banned in France 17 years ago
The Ferry operators want it banned
HM Coastguard want a review and maybe a restriction on the numbers of people attempting it and the "season"
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
1 November 2010
20:4077913#3
Just got a call from my sister, channel swimmers on BBC1. My daughter popped it over and I had a quick look. WOW, 30 or so seconds later Jeanette appeared on there in The White Horse.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,931
1 November 2010
20:4177916#4
They have just had your favourite pub and landlady on the programme.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Ross Miller- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
1 November 2010
23:3077979#5
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,321
2 November 2010
07:5377995#6
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
2 November 2010
08:2077998#7
Some restrictions to the numbers would be sensible, perhaps placing the Channel Swimming Association in charge.
The numbers doing relays do seem to have grown out of all sensible proportions and such relays seem a bit of a 'cop-out' compared to 'real' full distance channel swimmers. It is the latter who should be given precedence with restricted numbers. I am not sure that relays should even be classed as true 'channel swims'.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
2 November 2010
09:2678015#8
There are two bodies that look after Cross Channel Swimmers: The Channel Swimming Association and the Pilots Federation. Both are very able bodies and both very safely accompany swimmers across the Channel.
The number of swimmers has increased considerably in recent years and this is being blamed/credited to David Walliams, whether this is actually the case I have no idea, but I really hope this doesn't get banned.
Roger
Keith Sansum1
- Location: london
- Registered: 25 Aug 2010
- Posts: 23,948
2 November 2010
14:5878085#9
Barryw
careful bruv, you are actual looking to be in agreement with a sport, somethng you have always said you have no time for lol
on the crossings, t does need to be regulated and those that go over in tin bath's or such like should be stopped as they have no thoughts for the safety of themselves or others, so i support charlie on that one
LEt's hope this cross channel swmmng can continue
but it appears unless the UK French agree not much will change anyway
ALL POSTS ARE MY OWN PERSONAL VIEWS
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
2 November 2010
16:1178097#10
i cant see the point of swimming across the channel,when you got 3 good ferry companys to take you across in comfort.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
2 November 2010
16:1478098#11
'Sport' Keith - I suppose technically it is but I think of it more as an endurance test.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
2 November 2010
19:4978139#12
In The White Horse sometime during the Summer, one of the channel swimmer`s in there mentioned about 200 foreigner`s here waiting to do the swim. Maybe Jeanette will remember the details?
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
2 November 2010
19:5878141#13
colin
the figure of 200 ties in with the first post, not sure if they are all foreigners.
Guest 690- Registered: 10 Oct 2009
- Posts: 4,150
2 November 2010
20:4678149#14
The 200 you mention Howard are the one`s that done it by the looks of it, but in the pub I`m sure the chap said about a number of american`s who stayed over here to do it, didn`t, as for some reason it wasn`t possible. Maybe the weather, but Jeanette will know I`m sure.
Tell them that I came, and no one answered.
3 November 2010
08:0178212#15
It was very nice to see Jeanette on the BBC Well Done,I don't think this should be baned as when my mother was alive she would swim the channel many times she used to go to St Marys School Dover I believe the school had a big Shield with many smaller ones around it she won many of these with races out to the break water and back ,the safety is in place so let them carry on and as for the French Co-OP I have never seen a French man in the water off the French coast.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
3 November 2010
12:5678267#16
swimming to the breakwater and back seems an endurance test in itself, let alone swimming the channel.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
4 November 2010
08:2378404#17
The swimmers come from all over the World, as well as Britain.
People who were swimming in the Harbour this year, weren't necessarily swimming the Channel this year, but practicing for next year or 2012.
Many swimmers don't get to swim across, for various reasons - the weather, the tides (spring and nip), maybe they're just not up to it.
They do bring lots of money into Dover - the pilot boats are not cheap and of course there's the trainers, family and observers too.
Roger