The decision regarding what to eat and drink during your swim should not be made on the day. Here are a few things to consider when making your feeding plan.
1) What should I eat and drink?
It is wise to experiment with all types of products in the months leading up to your swim and let your stomach and head decide what is suitable for you. Once you have a happy formula for eating and drinking, stick to it.
Just like all sports, nutrition is very personal; what works for others may not work for you. That said, many swimmers find certain products to work well in terms of digestion and energy benefits.
The swimmers training in Dover harbour are given Maxim flavoured with cordial during their feeds, as well as a bit of food. Food options include swiss rolls, bits of banana, and jelly babies. Others have found canned peaches and Mars bars to go down well. The key is to choose foods which are easy to chew and swallow, and which you enjoy. During your swim, your tongue and mouth will likely become irritated due to the salt in the water, so you will likely be unable to consume chewy foods or gels very well.
Some people do not ingest solids at all during their swim. These swimmers typically feed on liquid supplements such as Maxim. This is why it is important to realise which feeding method works for you personally! On the mental side, food can be seen as very rewarding for your efforts between feeds. EG- If you are 6.5 hours into your swim, and know that your favourite food, a swiss roll, is coming at the 7 hour feed, it is a great distraction to think about how amazing your swiss roll is going to taste!
Electrolytes should be avoided in high doses because you will be ingesting salt while you swim. High doses of electrolytes in your system can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions. Read the labels of your drink mixes, and look for mixes which are carbohydrate (maltodextrin) based.
2) How often should I feed?
In terms of timing, this is also very personal. Some people feed every hour, while others prefer feeding more often. In Dover harbour, swimmers usually swim the first two hours without feeding. This allows the swimmer to practice swimming a long period by themselves, and is good mental preparation for the Channel. A general feeding plan used by swimmers is to feed every hour for the first 2-3 hours, and then every 30 minutes until the end of your swim. Practice this during your training swims and see what works for you.
3) How long should my feeds last?
Aim to have your feeds take no more than 30 seconds. Feeding is essential to your Channel success, but long feeds lead to longer crossing times. Feeds should not be seen as a break or a rest. Train yourself to feed as quickly as possible and get back to your endeavour!
4) What should I eat before long training swims?
It is important to be pre-fuelled before long training swims. If you not an early-morning eater, you need to become one. There are plenty of recipes for hearty breakfasts. Train your body to accept larger doses of calories. Porridge is a favourite among athletes because of its slow-release energy properties. If you can't stomach a large bowl, supplement it with a fruit smoothie. Or, even better, have both!
5) I've decided I would feel more confident if I gained X pounds for my swim. What are some good ways to gain weight?
Gaining weight does not mean you need to spend the next year at fast-food restaurants. If you have decided you would feel more confident with a bit of fat on you, aim to increase your caloric intake well before you are due to swim. Some easy ways that Channel swimmers put on weight are to add in a pint of whole milk to meals, eat ice cream every night, and/or include more snacks throughout the day. Please remember that you will be training very long distances during your training, so you already need to add more to your diet to supplement this exercise.
- 27 Feb 2025
2025 Notice of CS&PF AGM & Motions
Notice of CS&PF AGMFor the year ended 31st December 2024To be held atThe Channel Suite, Leas Cliff HallThe Leas, FolkestoneCT20 2DZ1pm on the 15th March 2025 Officer and committee positions due for election in 2025 President: Mike Ball (nominated by the CS&PF committee)Vice-President: Michael Oram (nominated by the CS&PF committee) The ChairmanThe SecretaryTwo Committee member positionsNotices of Motion Motions:Motion 1) Proposed by Tony Kenyon; seconded by Eddie SpellingThe committee discussed the need to raise the swim administration fees to cover increasing costs. It was agreed to increase the administration fees by £30. A revised CS&PF rule is required to be ratified at the AGM.The following rule revision is proposed to reflect the increased administration fee.Revised RuleCS&PF fees:2026 Administration fees payable with all swim applications. Administration fees cover the costs of running the CS&PF Office and general CS&PF expenses. Applications submitted to the CS&PF Office before the deadline of 30 April will be charged a discounted administration fee of:Solo - £200Relay £240Applications received by the CS&PF Office after 30 April will be deemed to have exceeded the time allowed for postage and will be charged a full fee of:Solo £225Relay £265Motion 2) Proposed by Kevin Murphy; seconded by Tony KenyonThis AGM requests the committee to:i) Institute honorariums for the offices of CS&PF Secretary and CS&PF Treasurer;ii) Consider at what level these honorariums should be set.Motion 3) Proposed by Tony Kenyon, seconded by Kevin MurphyReplace the existing Clause “8 Management paragraph B” of the published CS&PF rules. The current wording was found to be unclear by the committee.Proposed wording:B. President and Vice PresidentThe positions of ‘President’ and ‘Vice President’ shall be nominated by the elected members of the CS&PF Committee. Only the committee nomination for the roles shall be put before the next AGM for ratification.Either or both positions can remain vacant if the committee does not make a nomination, or if a nomination is not ratified by the membership at the next AGM.The Vice President is expected to work in conjunction with the President. When the President completes their term, the Vice President is familiar with the role to step up. A former President is not permitted to be nominated for a future role as Vice President. If ratified at the AGM the appointment of these positions is for three years from the date of ratification. If they are not ratified, the committee will reconsider their nominations at the next committee meeting.The ‘President’ and the ‘Vice President’ shall be considered full members of the CS&PF Committee. They will receive notice and be invited to each committee meeting and be counted in the quorum with full voting rights.The maximum term for both of these positions is two consecutive appointments. Once this maximum term has been reached the incumbent must step aside from that role for at least three years, preferably six (equivalent to two consecutive terms). Eligibility to be considered for subsequent nomination for either role after the maximum term has been reached is at the discretion of the elected members of the CS&PF Committee.At the discretion of the elected members of the CS&PF Committee a retiring President may be given the honorary title of ‘President Emeritus’. This title is used to denote perpetual status of individuals who made significant contributions to the CS&PF.Motion 4) Proposed by Cliff Golding, seconded by Mike BallProposed amendments in red Assessment swims - (solos)All swimmers taking part in a solo swim must complete a self assessment swim of at least 6 hours in open water at a temperature of no more than 61F/16C. Such a swim should be carried out either as a training swim or as an organised event which the committee considers (in its discretion) to be a suitable alternative. In either case, the assessment swim should take place no more than 18 calendar months prior to the 1st June in the year of the application. Winter Swim Assessments. If a swim is registered to take place between 1 November and 30 April, the qualifying temperature for an assessment swim will be 12c or less, or as defined by the pilot.Assessment swims - (relays)All swimmers taking part in a relay swim must complete a self assessment swim of at least 1.5 hours then leave the water for a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 1.5 hours at a temperature of no more than 61°F / 16°C. They must then return to the water and swim for 1 more hour in open water also at a temperature of no more than 61°F / 16°C. These two swims should be carried out either as a training swim or as an organised event which the committee considers (in its discretion) to be a suitable alternative. In either case, the assessment swims should take place no more than 18 calendar months prior to the 1st June in the Year of application. If a relay swimmer carries out a training swim, or takes part in an event lasting 4 hours or more at a temperature of no more than 61°F / 61°C, the Committee will consider that a suitable assessment swim for a Channel relay swim.Winter Swim Assessments. If a swim is registered to take place between 1 November and 30 April, the qualifying temperature for an assessment swim will be 12c or less, or as defined by the pilot.Every application for a solo or relay swimmer must complete a Swim Assessment Form available for download from the CS&PF web site and submit this together with supporting proof/ratification of the self-assessment swim or (if an organised event wherein satisfactory participation is a matter of public online record) the website address at which such proof is evident. Voting will be by paper ballot for any contested positions or motions. Read more
Sandettie Lightship Observations
8pm, 23rd February 2025
Water: 46.4 °F (8 °C)
Air: 52.5 °F (11.4 °C)
Wind Speed: 29.9 kn (55.4 km/h)
Wind Direction: SSW (200°)
The CS&PF President, Mike Ball and all the committee are deeply saddened by the passing of Ady Brown.… https://t.co/E17pLxZwgw
2 years ago
