The weeks are ticking by while I hope, pack, prepare, taper and get organised for another attempt at the Kaieiewaho Channel, a 72 mile or 120+ kilometre swim between the islands of Oahu and Kauai in Hawaii.

Since my Catalina Channel swim in mid September I’ve returned home and back into some solid training, now I’m descending my mileage into another taper in the hope that the weather will settle in the near future to allow me to fly back to Hawaii and swim this daunting and challenging channel.

During every channel swim the swimmer is very dependent on an experienced, sturdy and reliable crew and support team. This swim will be no exception, even before I depart for my local airport here in Townsville, North Queensland I find myself heavily dependent on others who are going above and beyond to help me to put this attempt together from so far away.

I’m currently awaiting word of the weather conditions that will be required for an attempt from Rick Shema who’s a resident of Hawaii and weather expert for www.weatherguy.com who are professional consultants in meteorology and oceanography.

Rick Shema

Steven Munatones has been an invaluable source of encouragement and support. Steven’s a former international marathon swimmer, former USA national open water swimming coach, a member of the board of The International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame and the World Open Water Swimming Association, and the editor in chief of The Daily News of Open Water Swimming www.thedailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com .

Steven Munatones

I’m honoured that Steven will be crewing for me during my swim along with Jeff Kozlovich who’s website is www.kozhawaii.blogspot.com , Bill Goding and Brent Ionmen. Jeff and Bill are life guards on the island of Oahu who did a fantastic job of assisting me during my first attempt in March. Brent is a new member of the team who’s also a resident of Hawaii, Brent’s a former pool and open water swimmer, he runs triathlons and paddle board races in Hawaii. He has competed in marathon runs and triathlons.

  Bill Goding  Jeff Kozlovich

We’ll be aboard captain Don Jones’ charter fishing boat who has expert knowledge of the waters around the island of Kauai www.captaindonsfishing.com Don did a wonderful job of holding the boat in the right position for me in sloppy conditions during my attempt in March which I had to abandon after swimming 58 kilometres in twelve hours due to severe Man-Of-War jellyfish stings.

[singlepic id=832 w=320 h=240 float=]Don Jones

I know I will be in excellent hands, my team are ready, my swim gear is packed; now we all watch and wait for the weather……

Shark Shield is a unique shark deterrent system utilising a technologically advanced three dimensional electrical wave form. Shark Shield technology is available for recreational users and water sports professionals to help all people enjoy the water with a new dimension – peace of mind; for themselves, their families and employees.

Shark Shield was invented by the South African Government through the Natal Shark Board, home to some of the sharkiest waters in the world. It is used by the Australian Elite Military, the South African Navy the US Coast Guard and is also approved by NATO.

Shark Shield’s can be used when participating in any ocean activities including surfing, bodyboarding, longboarding, snorkelling, scuba diving, free diving, spear fishing, commercial diving, kayaking, ocean swimming and boating or fishing.

Shark Shield’s provide protection against all predatory shark species including Great Whites, Tigers, Zambezis (Bulls), Makos,  Bronze Whalers, among others. 

Our shark repellent products repel the sharks via an electric field that induces spasms in the sharks’ snouts. It does not attract sharks to the area or leave permanent damage to the animals, or harm the environment. Their products are proven to prevent shark attacks. http://www.sharkshield.com/Content/Home/  

Steven Munatones makes some good points in relation to the event of a shark encounter whilst ocean swimming. http://www.dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/2010/10/when-fin-is-in-water.html

In the youtube clip below by Lynn Kubasek, our friend and swim crew Forrest Nelson demonstrates the use of our Shark Shield prior to my Catalina Channel swim in California recently.

http://www.dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/2010/10/how-far-could-human-swm.html

Steven Munatones discusses how far a human could swim, there are some interesting subjects touched on in this article.

Perhaps it would be necessary to have different categories, swimming, floating, assisted, fresh water, salt water, tidal or river flow, every swim is different, even the same swim just a few hours or even minutes apart can give a different set of challenges and conditions.

This is part of the beauty and challenge of open water swimming.

SEASON 2010

Final Results of the season:

Total crosses:            66

Total swimmers successful:            103

            Reglamentary:          50

            With neoprene:        53

            Relay:                           4 (with a total of 15 swimmers involved)

Total attempts without success: 7 swimmers (6,8%)

Records of the year:

!!CONGRATULATION TO THESE SWIMMERS AND ALL SWIMMERS WHO HAS MADE THE GIBRALTAR CROSS. WE EXPECT YOU HAD PAST A GOOD EXPERIENCIE WITH US IN TARIFA¡¡

www.acneg.com

Unfortunately the weather was not suitable for Chris’ Green Island to Cairns swim this weekend; he has decided to reset his dates for mid November.

This could be a busy time for the Palfrey household since I, (Penny) am also trying organise my Hawaii, Oahu to Kauai, Kaieiewaho Channel attempt for a good weather window during early to mid November.

We’ll keep you updated on our progress, thank you for all your good wishes and support we really appreciate them.

http://www.dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/2010/10/killer-sharks-crocs-and-chironex.html

~ Penny ~

As Chris makes his final preparations for his swim from Green Island to Cairns on Saturday 16^th October 2010, we hear about Eddie Lovelock who is thought to be the only person to have completed the swim unassisted before, his moving story is told through the link below. http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/08/19/2660947.htm?site=#bigpicturepos

Chris is expecting to start his swim from Green Island between 8 and 8.30am on Saturday morning and finish around 5pm at Yorkeys knob, Cairns.

http://www.dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/2010/10/minimum-allowable-age-discussion-in_10.html

As Steven Munatones of ‘The Daily News of Open Water Swimming’ website discusses at what age children should be allowed to start taking part in open water swimming, I recall my first open water swim at the age of 11 years old. The swim was from the end of the Southend Pier, (which was at that time the longest pier in the world) to the Westcliff leisure centre on the Westcliff sea front a distance of 1 ¾ miles. I knew the area well since I’d learned to swim there several years before in the old sea baths.

From left to right Christina Sabarton, Ruth Barham and Penny Pedley (Palfrey)

We were taken by boat to the end of the pier where we started the race from the side of the boat adjacent to the end of the Southend pier; we were accompanied by kayakers, one per swimmer and swam in a diagonal direction towards the Westcliff leisure centre. I remember the water feeling cold but I enjoyed the swim and won the race.

The following year the swim was held again but I was not allowed to enter since there had been an age restriction introduced; I had to miss a year and wait until I was 13 years old to swim and win it again. I don’t recall the swim being held after that.

Swimmers prepare for the start of the swim in 1975

Southend Pier is at the mouth of the River Thames that flows into London. The areas of Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea and Southend-on-Sea are affected by large tidal flows with a lot of water moving in and out of the estuary, leaving miles of mud flats at low tide. Many a person has been caught out collecting cockles while the tide has come in around them leaving them stranded.

The pictures included in this blog were taken during the second swim I took part in at age 13 in 1975. I expect the Southend and surrounding areas have changed somewhat by now.

Penny Pedley (Palfrey)

By Penny Palfrey October 11th 2010

http://www.dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/2010/10/swimming-with-sharks-in-open-water.html

One of the highlights of Chris and my recent trips to California was meeting end enjoying two evenings with Lynne Cox the author of Swimming To Antarctica.

If you are in the Long Beach California area Lynne has been invited to do a book signing on Saturday 23^rd of October from 2-4pm at Apostrophise book store in Belmont Shore, Long Beach, California 4712 E. 2^nd Street.

Lynne has enjoyed some wonderful swimming adventures and writes them beautifully.

http://www.dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/2010/10/stinging-sensations-while-swimming-in.html