Conquering the English Channel

Imperial College alumnus Jim Boucher (Electrical Engineering 1984) is to attempt the ultimate long distance swimming challenge in July.

Taking anywhere between seven and 27 hours, swimming the 21-miles across the English Channel is considered by many to be the ultimate long distance swimming challenge. The water temperature, ranging from 14 to 18 degrees Celsius during the swim season; variable conditions, up to wind force 6 and wave heights in excess of 2 metres; and the 'traffic' in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes make this a unique and demanding swim. A swim that Jim Boucher (Electrical Engineering 1984) is preparing to undertake in July this year.

Jim is no stranger to the Channel having previously completed a relay with five other swimmers in August 2005 as the 'Lido Legends'. Jim has now qualified for a solo swim after completing a qualifying swim in water of 16 degrees Celsius in Gozo, Malta, with two of his fellow Lido Legends earlier in May. During five days in the Mediterranean, which replicated the expected temperature of the Channel during the summer, Jim undertook a series of one and a half to three hour sea swims, leading up to a massive six hour swim in a bay flanked by the legendary Fungus Rock.
 
Eighty 'Channel hopefuls' are now converging on Dover harbour each weekend for the next phase of training, aiming to make swims of at least six hours in Dover's less-picturesque and more appropriate environment, where the water is currently only reaching 12 degrees Celsius on a sunny day. Jim's heavy training schedule, both in the pool and harbour, totals 25 kilometres per week and necessitates an intake of 6,000 calories of food per day!

We all wish Jim luck with his English Channel solo swim, which will take place between 7 and 14 July, depending on weather. Find out more and keep up-to-date with the latest news at www.lido-legends.co.uk.