Sea Leopard Charter: The Pattern Family - Successful Channel Relay Swim

Thursday, 20 September 2012

The Pattern Family - Successful Channel Relay Swim - 3rd September 2012

Report by Stuart Gleeson.

A warm night, we meet at Dover Marina & everyone finds their own space as I give the safety talk. CSA Observer Sam Jones carries on the official bit by confirming rules & noting particulars whilst Stuart Adams & I steer Sea Leopard out of Dover Harbour for a 0305 start from Samphire Hoe.

A happy team, each motivating the swimmer in the water & caring for each other after each rotation. Good fast progress, even with some of the family suffering from seasickness. This trip is the 50th birthday treat for Hugo Pattern & he seems to be enjoying every minute of it. Within striking distance of France after 10 hours, Harry does a big push leaving mum to do just five minutes to land at Ambletuese Ft Mahon after just 11hrs & 5 mins.

A delightful family who obviously love swimming together.

Well done team. Happy Birthday Hugo.

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About Sea Leopard

Sea Leopard is a Lochin 33 Sportsfisherman with Flybridge built in 1984. It is fully fitted with all the safety equipment required by the Maritime Coastguard Agency to take a total of 12 passengers and crew under the Category:2 (60miles from port).

Lifejackets, lifebuoys, Man overboard sling, Life raft, Flares and Fire Extinguishers are carried and have passed inspection.
The electronic equipment we carry: Radar - Garmin; GPS - Raymarine; AIS - Simrad; Echo sounder - Raymarine; VHF radio - 2xIcom.

Sea Leopard also has a powerpoint for charging laptops & mobile phones etc. Within the forward cabin area we have two bunks and a toilet. We also have a stove and oven with a kettle that is on 24/7 for those who cannot do without their cup of tea.

Sea Leopard is based in Dover and can be put to sea at any time, weather permitting of course!

About Stuart Gleeson

Stuart Gleeson has lived in Folkestone all his life and been active in going to sea for many years, both as a fisherman, crewman, and a pilot for Channel Swims. A keen SCUBA diver, Stuart is passionate about water safety and is constantly updating and adding to his qualifications. Certified as an RYA Coastalskipper/Yachtmaster, Stuart is qualified and proficient in First Aid, Sea Survival, Fire Fighting and holds a VHF radio licence. As well as Channel Crossings, Stuart provides training trips for experienced and prospective Channel Swimmers with charter packages to suit all training needs and requirements including swim coaching.

Weather

Weather in the Channel is very unpredictable. Below are some of the weather and tide information websites that swimmers may find useful for organising training swims, as well as in the days leading up to the Channel Swim. Interpreting the information in conjunction with the changing tides is an art in itself - interesting and often frustrating when the conditions predicted are very different from those experienced. That is why the English Channel is so hard - and also so appealing to swimmers from all over the World.

Sea Leopard Charter

Swimmers view

Thursday, 20 September 2012

The Pattern Family - Successful Channel Relay Swim - 3rd September 2012

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