In August 1875 Captain Matthew Webb dived off the pier in Dover and swam to Calais. Totalling 39 miles (because of tidal fluctuations), numerous jellyfish stings and drinking a couple of shots of brandy on the way “for warmth”, he was the first man to swim the English Channel.
I love this story – partly because I am distantly related to Captain Webb, partly because I love swimming (although I should hasten to add, no talent was passed on) and partly because it is a great adventure story against all the odds.
Fast forward 140 years and Alistair Beattie is going to attempt to make the crossing in September this year! 21 miles of relentless open water swimming (but more like 30 because of the strong tidal currents) – no wet suit, schools of jellyfish and one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. He’s doing it to raise money for Links International and their project to get safe water to people in developing countries. Please check out Alistair’s Just Giving page here to donate some money.
On meeting Alistair I was struck by his down to earth, self effacing attitude, his irrepressible smile at the joy of being in the water and also underneath a steely determination.
What’s your story of getting into swimming?
Five years ago I was fat and unfit. A friend nicked my credit card and signed me up for an Olympic distance triathlon. He was clever because if he had paid for it I wouldn’t have done it! It became apparent that I love wild swimming. I did a few more triathlons, then I swam Lake Windermere and then I thought I’d do the Channel.
Every year I set myself a challenge – the idea is to get me out of my comfort zone – it might be a physical challenge or to learn something new…. Also as a Christian minister I think it’s important to connect with people outside of the church.
What do you love about it?
I love being outdoors, I love being in creation and I love the freedom it all brings.
What’s hardest about it?
Getting in the water when it’s really really cold. Getting out of bed to train. And fitting in training with the rest of life.
How would you sum it up in three words?
Wet. Exhilarating. Liberty!
Anytime when you thought about giving up?
In the Channel relay swim I did there was a time. I was setting off on the last leg (having already swam two legs). The boat pilot told me I had to swim fast as the tide was due to change soon. I thought “not a problem” as I reckoned on being able to swim fast for 25 minutes. It was pitch black – all I could see was the silhouette of the cliff I was swimming toward and the lights of the support boat. After 35 minutes of swimming my fastest the cliff hadn’t got any closer! Apparently the tide had snap changed. By now I had swam full out for 45 minutes and still hadn’t moved forward!
I remember at that point not being sure if I could carry on. I felt I had no strength left in me. But somewhere there was the thought in my head that if I stop I ruin it for the rest of my (relay) team. You break through. To make it was the most exhilarating feeling. I broke down afterwards when I got back on the boat.
A particular moment of joy/a high (apart from finishing the Channel relay)?
When swimyourswim ran its first event. To watch 11 people who we had coached get out at Ambleside after a 10 ½ mile swim.. to see other people succeed – it was a tremendous high.
An embarrassing moment?
When I was ten I was in a gala. The string came out of my shorts so I used the pin from a locker to hold them up. When I dived in I realised my shorts were now round my ankles. I completed the 25 metre sprint with one hand holding onto my shorts (and still came third!).
Is there anything you are particularly looking forward to/ambitions?
The Channel swim in September!
What are you most proud of?
My ice mile. I swam in 3.8 degrees in Treeton Dyke. I was the 65th person in the world to swim an ice mile.
Favourite quote and/or piece of advice you’ve been given that has helped/inspired you on your way?
I love the story of Diana Nyad. She was the first person to swim from Cuba to the United States without a shark cage. She was 64 years old. When she arrived after her 110 mile swim she told the surrounding crowd “I have three messages: one is we should never ever give up; two is you are never too old to chase your dreams; and three is – it looks like a solitary sport but it is a team.”
A favourite quote “Nothing great is easy.”Captain Matthew Webb
