- I have a shoulder/back/elbow niggle, can I pull out? Yes – I have 13 people on the waiting list. If you pull out BEFORE this Saturday 2nd June you will incur a £15 admin fee haircut off your entry fee (as per our championship rules). If you pull out after that date you are not entitled to any refund as all the paperwork then is final 2 weeks before the swim. I get really saddened when people either no-show on the day or pull out within 2 weeks of the swim as those people are effectively preventing others from having a crack and we have 13 on the waiting list after a swim.
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Where can I park? Parking is available on Marine Parade at quite a steep cost (come armed with loads of coins) but my preferred place is Premier Inn car park which is £5 for the entire day.
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Where are the public loos? These are located at the westernmost end of Marine Parade (in portacabins) but some swimmers frequent the loos in Starbucks after purchasing refreshments.
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Do I need to register on the day? Yes – 8am at swimmers beach. Put sun cream on AFTER registration otherwise your number will not be visible. Registration cut off is 08:30 and we will aim to have the briefing at 08:45. If you chafe, remember to bring a load of Vaseline too.
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Is this like my local swimathon? No, this is a gruelling 9 mile event and you need to come prepared with hot drinks etc as Dover Harbour is unheated! Consider bringing a buddy with you to help you get changed between swims. If I were doing it I would bring a small tent too as it can get cold on the beach and this will get you out of the wind. Bring lots of warm clothing, hats, gloves, dry-robe and loads of fuel (and hot thermoses). Plan for the toughest eventuality. Get out and train in the sea as much as you can.
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When does the swim start? – we will aim to get the 5-miler away around 09:15 and the 3 miler then 1 miler run afterwards. There is very little (if any) time between swims and there are strict cut-offs. The faster you swim, the more rest you get between swims! Simples!
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Is this good training for my Channel/Windermere/Lomond/Catalina/Manhattan swim? Yes, it’s perfect. It’s arguably one of the toughest swims you will do in the year which will stand you in great stead for whatever challenge lies ahead. You’ll make loads of new friends and walk away with a certificate and a famous red swim cap if you complete the entire programme of 3 swims. The water might be 14-16c by 16th June but don’t worry some swimmers are already doing over 5 hours in the Dover Channel training group!
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What if this is my first ever BLDSA swim? Regardless of experience we ask that ALL those new to the BLDSA wear a YELLOW SWIM CAP on the day. All other swimmers can wear any colour other than black or white (hard to see in a chop). Pink is reserved for breaststroke swimmers. If you are feeling sub-par on the day and want to make the safety crew aware of that fact, I would urge you to wear a yellow swim cap then too – that’s the only way that safety crews and kayakers patrolling the course can differentiate.
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Can I wear a tow float? No. Have you ever swum with one in wind or chop? (These aren’t allowed in any BLDSA swim btw).
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Can I bring a kayaker? Yes – please let me know beforehand as they will need to sign in!
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Will the Dover training group be using the harbour too? No, we have sole use of the swim zone on that day – check with their group as they are using a different venue on the day.
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What about feeds? Most swimmers cope without any but you will need to come to an arrangement on the day with a kayaker or the turnboat team if you want to give them a bottle. The turnboat judges usually come armed with a small box of jelly babies but only give out to swimmers who are polite!
Good luck with your training – see you on the 16th June and pray we get the same weather as last year!
