Gareth Leachman
Glenthorne to Porthcawl 12-7-24
Swim time: 10hours 17mins 57 seconds
Start: Glenthorne
Finish: Porthcawl (Newton Beach)
Observer: Steve Butler
Swim Crew: Neil Leachman
Pilot: Ceri Davies
Ratified to the BCSA
Swimmers report:
A first note of thanks to everyone who helped me. It may be called a solo swim, but it requires a team to do any channel swimming. It's not just your crew, the observer and the captains on the day, but also the sacrifice everyone in your family makes to allow for the dedication to train for these swims.
I dedicate this swim to my friend John Connolly. May you rest in peace in God's loving arms.
The Glenthorne to Porthcawl swim is a very interesting and fun swim to do. Technically awkward due to the tides and current. If you take too long, you're in for a long extra couple of hours, and if you are too quick, you have to do a slow plod waiting for the tide to turn.
My training for the swim was the same training I've been doing for 4 years: 5 months of 120km, 120km, 200km, 200km, taper. I had kept up a good set of winter swims with my swim buddies Brian and Calvin down in Hove, so the temperature wasn't a concern for me. I had done my due diligence night swims, in calm and not so calm seas; and had done a solid set of 3hr swims in the sea prior to the swim, mostly to build up some suntan, and build up some scabbing for the inevitable chafing.
As my crew I had my brother, who had crewed for me previously. He knew what he was doing with my feeds. We use repurposed Lyle's syrup 250ml bottles attached to a running line on a pole. Which works well for me. Neil mixes up my High 5 electrolytes, and I use a small cut of banana to line my mouth to reduce the salt mouth.
The day arrived, and Neil and I set out at 5am from West Sussex to drive to Porthcawl arriving just after 9am. I'd been sleeping on and off, because I couldn't sleep the night before. Once we arrived, we let Stephen Butler, the swim observer, know we had that arrived and he subsequently joined us later. Then Neil and I headed to the Marina for a delicious full breakfast. Later we took a cab to Swansea Marina where we boarded the Shee Ann and headed for Glenthorne.
Arriving at Glenthorne is rather a non-event. The splendid Glenthorne Manor pokes out on a hill, but apart from that there isn't much there to designate the start area. I had expected the Bristol Channel to be warmer than the 16c. A quick swim to the shore, and then clambering up to ensure I was clear of the waterline, and the Boat blew its horn. The swim was underway. Only not quite. At the point in the tide that I was getting in, I had to clamber a good few meters across ominous boulders before I could lower myself gently in 2 feet of water to swim out.
Nothing quite like swimming a swim you've trained for. My first hour was awesome. The sun was still high on my left, and the boat was running parallel on my right. I had a great pace and felt strong moving through the various blooms of moon jellyfish. At first the jellyfish were about 2 feet down, so I was only catching them with my hands during my stroke. Later in the evening the jellyfish came to the surface, but gratefully there was only slight discomfort from the stings.
The swim continued uneventfully (which is what we want). A beautiful sunset around 9pm, and then a steady pace through to the end. Landing eventually at around 2am.
A quick transfer to the car, and over to my brother for a drive back home with a couple of naps along the way.
Neil and I arrived home at around 10am. Another great adventure completed.
Observers report:
After communication with Gareth in the days leading up to the event and agreeing logistics, we decided to meet at Porthcawl at 12 noon. We Traveled to Swansea by Taxi with Gareth’s Brother Neil who would be supporting Gareth during the swim. We arrived at Swansea Marina at 13:15 and was able to board the SheAnn with our equipment immediately. Aston the Pilot carried out a Boat safety briefing and we left Swansea for Glenthorne ahead of schedule.
We arrived at Glenthorne at around 15.20.and Gareth started prepping himself for the swim. Gareth did not use any sunscreen or grease. Gareth was wearing standard Speedo swim trunks, goggles and swim hat. He left the boat and swam ashore clearing the water, re-entering he found it tough due to the rocks and starting the swim at 15:44:00 He swam back past the boat, and we made our way out into a flat calm sea in the Direction of Porthcawl.
Gareth’s nutrition plan was to feed every 20 minutes using Water hot & Cold, High 5 supplements, Bananas and jellybeans. This was delivered by Gareth’s brother Neil who was very knowledgeable and understood and implanted the plan to perfection.
The weather conditions were good with water temperature at 16.5C with a 4MPH wind from the south Gareth soon got into a good rhythm and a consistent stroke rate (62). His feeding plan was very meticulous, and his support by his brother Neil was very well organised with feeding every 20 mins. Gareth’s Pace was very good averaging over 4.2K per hour. There were lots of Jellyfish in the water for several hours at the start of the swim but no issues to swimmer.
Gareth continued with a consistent stroke rate and seemed in very good spirits feeding regularly and promptly. The channel was very quiet for the duration of the swim only passing two vessels during the crossing. Gareth was making v ery fast progress and was advised he could back of slightly as he would be at Nash point Lighthouse in plenty of time to catch the tide change.
The conditions changed for approximately 2 hours in the middle of the swim with the wind picking up and the water choppy. This did not affect Gareth as he maintained his pace and stroke count.
During the next feed the swimmer vomited but said he was okay and continued at a strong pace. The next feed was water only and no further issues keeping down solid or liquid feeds. Gareth urinated regularly during the swim.
As we started to see Nash Point light House from the boat the sun was starting to set and the light deteriorating. The swimmer was informed to switch on his lights one on his goggles strap and one on his Bathers. The Pilot checked the boats lighting and spotlights as we would be eventually swimming in darkness. The Pilot requested that the swimmer changed sides of the boat to have better visibility with him on the right-hand side of the boat during darkness. This allowed him to also have the boat spotlight on him.
As we turned with the tide at Nash point the swimmer informed us that he was starting to feel cold so agreed with his support crew that his future feeds would be made with warm water. He made excellent progress along the coastline towards Ogmore. At his next feed the skipper gave Gareth the options of swimming for another hour and landing west of the Ogmore river or to continue on route for another two hours to Sandy Bay. Gareth made the decision to go for the shorter option and come ashore approximately 400 mtrs west of the River Ogmore.
Gareth decided he didn’t wat any further feeds and pushed hard towards the Shore. It was difficult to see the shoreline clear from the boat even with its spotlight and additional torches, The boat stopped at 2.5 meters depth and Gareth swam to the sandy beach and exited the Water line. Gareth then reentered the water and swam back to the boat for transfer to Porthcawl Pier. He was very cold at this time, and he was assisted getting dressed in warm clothes and blankets. When reaching the Pier, it was evident we would have to land on the slipway by Dinghy due to low water.
Gareth was assisted from the slipway by me and his brother back to their car to rest before heading back to Crawley. Gareth’s swim was very well executed, and his support and feeding strategy was swift and precise. Well done Gareth that was an amazing swim, and you should be very proud of your performance.
Thanks to the Crew for the support during the swim and keeping everybody safe.
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