Dee does it!

Pictured above: A number of the South West swimmers heading to Dover to attempt crossings (and their support "crew")!
The past few weeks have seen a number of exciting events as the TOTM countdown continues. In Australia, Amelia has spent a few days in Warrnambool to complete her final training swim in the ocean. On Saturday July 12th, South West swimmers attempting their relay double crossings in July were joined by Amelia and a number of well wishers for their final "hitout"! The water was 10c and conditions were wonderful-large breaking swell to swim out through and then rolling nicely once you were in the bay.Considering the fact that "Meals"hadn't been in the ocean for 3 months, her 30 minute swim was outstanding- as was the nice wave that she bodysurfed in to the beach on! Chloe was playing netball and couldn't make this session-although after hitting the aspalt netball court and taking off a bit of skin, she probably would have prferred the swim!

Meanwhile, in the UK the most exciting news of all! Jersey coach Dee Richards has finally attempted her solo crossing of the Channel. After twice before been disappointed by inclement weather stopping her attempts, this time she entered the "Ditch". Showing true guts and determination, she swam for 22hours and 6 minutes to land east of the Calais harbour. The stories to be told....Well done Dee- you are now a Channel swimmer!

TOTM on parade.....

The Jersey girls resplendent in their TOTM hoodies and pink swimwear-you won't miss these girls on the beach! This photo was taken when the local media were organising a story on the efforts of Team TOTM. The countdown continues....

Counting down...

With only 6 weeks until Chloe & Amelia leave for the UK, excitement is mounting! Alice, Bianca, Chantelle & Tasmin will finally get to meet them face to face!

As the water temperature in the Channel starts to climb, in Warrnambool it has definitely dropped! This weekend saw a number of swimmers participate in a demanding training regime.

At 10pm on Friday June 13th, 13 swimmers (including Chloe) entered the sub 10c waters of the Hopkins River. 1 hour later they emerged shivering to look forward to a couple of hours rest until 2am-when they re-entered the dark & murky depths! At 10am on the Saturday the session was in the ocean, with a much anticipated luncheon afterwards! With weather conditions being cold, drizzly and blustery it took until Saturday evening for our body temperatures to get anywhere near normal again- a strong reminder of keeping hypothermia in mind at all times when training in cold water!

Amelia has been training with a swimming club in Ballarat and the girls in Jersey are spending a lot of time in the water over there.

Let the countdown begin!

It's not cold at all!!

The TOTM Team members from Jersey Island (Alice, Bianca, Chantelle and Tasmin-pictured ) are enjoying their training in the ocean...now that it's starting to warm up a little!

It's not easy trying to balance training, school,jobs & fundraising and all 6 girls have been doing a great job! 6 teenage girls-living on opposite sides of the World, working together to achieve a common goal that not many would even attempt....imagine what these girls will be like as adults!

The countdown is on until Amelia & Chloe leave Australia and the 6 girls finally meet face to face!

How Is THIS Fun?

Today myself and 9 other swimmers from Warrnambool took part in a English Channel mini swim.....
... We swam for 45minutes in the 13c water of the warrnambool breakwater.
We then went on a fishing charter trip to test our sea sickness tablets/lollipops. It seemed to be fun for the male varieties and Lisa Logan but others of us werent so enthused...
The highlight of the 3 hour trip (other then baiting the rods :P) was my saying rather loudly in front of the fisherman, How is THIS fun? as well as THIS IS SOOOO BORIN!!
when we finally arrived back to land with legs of jelly we had to go out for another 45min swim. I though was able to be water safety on the rescue board.. as im a board paddler also... All in All it was an okay day with the only person getting seasick being Sir Dee... lol...
Au revoir(PRACTICING MY FRENCH),
Chloe J

Not so Shivery Swim!

A beautiful autumn day saw Chloe, Amelia and 12 new friends take to the calm waters of Port Philip Bay for a 1200m fundraising swim on April 20th.

By 11am all were in the water, with participants including well known open water swimmer John Van Wisse. Visiting jelly fish (some on the large side...) failed to dampen the spirits of all involved! Despite the promised media coverage prior to the event not eventuating, feedback from various groups has indicated future support should the "Shiver Swim" become an annual event.

The girls from T.O.T.M. wholeheartedly thank all swimmers involved and St Kilda Surf Lifesaving Club for hosting the swim and providing the water safety.

More photos can be viewed on T.O.T.M.'s myspace page: www.myspace.com/totmsea2see

Shiver & Swim?

It's only nine days until the scheduled start of the Sea 2 See "Shiver Swim"-but will it go ahead? We are still trying desperately to get publicity in the media-much has been promised but little delivered! There has been a post on MySpace, emails to various swimming bodies and faxes galore! Here's hoping that it all comes together on the day.....

Another worry at the moment is the fact that the airline our flights to England are booked through (Royal Brunei) is no longer flying that route! We are waiting to be advised as to which carrier they are sending us on.....

Que sera, sera....