EDITOR'S LETTER ISSUE 6 OCT/NOV 2011 Editor Simon Griffiths simon.griffiths@h2openmagazine.com


Deputy Editor Sarah Warwick sarah.warwick@h2openmagazine.com


Designer Mat Detmar


Advertising and partnerships Stuart Churchill, +44 (0)7764 473168 marketing@h2openmagazine.com


Contributors Rick Kiddle, Kate Rew, Simon Murie, Joel Enoch, Paul Newsome, Jonathan Knot, Nicola Joyce, Joel Enoch, Rebecca Miles, Gerald Smith and Steven Munatones


Photography and Images With thanks to all providers of images, particularly Blueseventy, Zoggs, Nova International/British Gas, Swim Trek, Speedo and Arena


Cover image © Jos Dinkelberg


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© ZG Publishing Ltd 2011. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced without the writen permission of the publisher. ZG Publishing Ltd (Company registration no. 3799982) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 20 Burnell Avenue, Richmond TW10 7YE. All content is provided for information only and, while we take reasonable efforts to ensure its accuracy, we cannot guarantee it. ZG Publishing Ltd is not an expert provider of medical advice. You are advised to seek professional medical advice before swimming if you have any injuries or medical conditions. Open water swimming does involve a level of risk and you are advised to take appropriate precautions.


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WELCOME TO H2OPEN MAGAZINE


If you talk about The Channel to any swimmer in the world,they'll know which one you're talking about. The English Channel might not be the longest or hardest challenge out there but it has become the benchmark for ambitious long-distance swimmers. Despite the fact that more than a thousand people have swum it, conquering a crossing requires years of training, an indomitable will and a massive dose of luck. Many fail. Earlier this year, Paul Newsome invited me to join the crew


for his crossing. We were just starting to worry he wouldn't get the chance when the pilot called to say there might be a break in the weather. A few hours later we were on the boat slapping handfuls of grease over Paul’s body. With litle ceremony, he leapt into the sea, and set off to France. It was a tough day. Paul faced a strong headwind, huge swell, surface chop and white- caps. I was soon reduced to snivelling, vomiting wreck and, for the first couple of hours, was a totally useless crew member. Despite that, I would recommend the experience to anyone (see our guide to the job on page 27 before you sign up though). Also on the subject of Channel swimming, Simon Murie looks at the history behind this iconic swim (page 18), Nicola Joyce tells us what it takes (page 24) and Paul Newsome reveals how he trained and prepared (page 28). However, we know open water swimming is not just about The Channel so we have included plenty of our usual training and wild swimming features, too. Happy reading!


Simon Griffiths, editor SWIM THE CHANNEL ○ P24


Nicola Joyce is an open water swimmer who has swum the English Channel twice as a solo swimmer and once as part of a


two-way relay team. Her swim CV includes swims around Jersey and up Windermere. She also takes part in triathlon, so has experience of wetsuit and non-wetsuit swimming. In this issue, she tells us what it takes to swim the Channel.


TAKING CONTROL ○ P28


Paul Newsome is the founder and head coach of Swim Smooth and is a world-recognised authority on freestyle


stroke correction and training methods. He previously raced as an elite triathlete and recently succeeded in his quest to swim The English Channel. This issue he looks at how he trained for the challenge and what it did to his body.


WINTER TRAINING ○ P36


Swimmer and triathlete Dan Bullock has been coaching since 1990, helping thousands get fiter and faster – from


novice triathletes to Channel veterans. Dan held the title of National Masters Champion, both in the pool and open water (2008-10), and has been a European Masters Medallist and a Double-Ironman finisher.


MAN V SHARK ○ P40


Steven Munatones is an open water swimming guru, spanning the roles of swimmer, coach, advisor, writer and race director.


He is the founder of Open Water Source (openwatersource.com) and came up with the idea of the Ocean’s Seven – the ultimate long-distance swimming challenge. This issue he explores the world of sharks, and why they are worth saving.


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