On Thursday 13 September at 1.50 in the morning, the RAF Open Water Swim team began our relay crossing of the English Channel. We were racing against the Police, British Army and Royal Navy. Our team of six swimmers and a reserve comprised myself (Sabina Heywood), Nicola Mackay, Sophie Trotter, Simon “Wooley” Wooldridge, Lucy Roper, Craig Ellard and James Hollingworth.
Nicola was first in and she swam from our boat Anastasia to the coast of Samphire Hoe in the pitch black. Once the observer could establish her feet were clear of the water, the timer started. The race was on! The night-time was a challenge as we could only sight the bright lights from the boat, which left us feeling somewhat blinded and disorientated in the water.
BLOOMS OF JELLYFISH