They swim against the tide for Channel dream

Eight hours of swimming practice in a day; juggling between studies and sport; slashed entertainment hours; strict dietary regimes and a lot of conviction - this is how five city youngsters are preparing to fulfil their dream of crossing the English Channel, together, next year. “We have been swimming for the past 4-5 years and it is long distance swimming that all of us excel in,” says Shruti Limaye, 16, one of the group members.

One thing that sets the group apart is that all of them gel well as a team. For Darshan Deshpande, 21, the only guy in this gang of girls, this fact is “not a problem and it feels good.” The group has been training hard since the beginning of the year, concentrating on long-distance swims. “We have taken part in most of the long-distance swimming events throughout the year: Dharamtar-Gateway (33 km), two to three sea swims like Sunkrock-Gateway (5 km), Morah-Gateway (12 km), besides training mentally for the Channel,” said Aakanksha Mishra, 14, who would also do a double of Gateway-Dharamtar-Gateway,  a distance of 70 km, in January first week.

Under their coach, Arti Pradhan, who was the youngest swimmer of the year when she crossed the Channel in 1987, the swimmers have covered the distance equivalent of the swim required for the Channel (33 km), and even swum at night; yet they know the real thing will be far more difficult. “It is difficult to swim the Channel as the temperature is about six to seven degrees and currents are very strong,” said Mitali Varadker, 17, adding that it also had do a lot with mental preparation. Though most of the group have their exams in March, they feel they have managed to cope well with both swimming and studies. “Our teachers and parents are very supportive. In fact they are happy that we are venturing out to achieve this tough goal,” said Smriti Prabhu, 16. The strength of the group, say all of them, is they coordinate well as a team. What is also unique is they did not take to swimming very early in life, but have picked it up remarkable well.

As for the hurdles, the cost of the attempt (almost Rs4 lakh per participant) is somewhat of a problem area at the moment, as getting sponsorship is still sketchy for these Air India family members. Hopefully, this would get sorted out in time. But, perhaps, the Channel itself will remain the biggest challenge. “The weather is so unpredictable that even if you begin to swim and the weather becomes bad, you would be recalled and that would add up to an attempt. Then the whole process of getting fresh sanctions begins, “ said Arti. But for these five, it is jelly fish that seem to be the major cause of concern. “We have heard many stories about jelly fish troubling swimmers at the Channel. Sometimes there are sharks too. But we are looking to better the best timing of eight hours. After all, such opportunities do not come repeatedly,” says Aakanksha. They all nod in agreement.