A life changing experience: Bengalureans swim across the English Channel

Amateur swimmers from Bengaluru, belonging to different age-groups, demographics and walks of life took upon themselves the challenge of swimming across the English Channel - and succeeded. This 14-member team led by Satish Kumar of Swimlife academy, swam in groups of three, four and eight members on July 23 and 24, covering more than 30km in length.

Talking about the preparation that went into the swim, Satish Kumar said, "All of us pledged ourselves to the task, knowing that we had to train a minimum amount everyday. The members that were in different cities were monitored remotely, making sure they put in the required number of yards. To acclimatise to the cold weather of the Channel, we would take ice baths and also practice night swims at the Palk Strait."

Talking about the rush he experienced from accomplishing this feat, Samar, Lt Commander, Indian Navy, said, "I have completed five iron-man competitions thus far but nothing comes close to the feeling of swimming the Channel. It's a moment you cherish for life and I cannot wait to go back again." Echoing the sentiment, Queeni Victoria, a tailor and mother of two, tells us, "Now that we've done the Channel, I can already see my next targets - swimming the seven channels. And going forward, even my son will be joining me on these swims."

Entrepreneur Raghu feels that this swim changed his mindset as a whole. "This expedition has changed my lifestyle on a whole. A year back, it would have been impossible for me to think about swimming the Channel. But surrounded by a good team and good people, aiming for high targets; you are bound to hit them if not at least reach somewhere close."
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