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Having been associated with swimming the English Channel since 16 year old local Jersey resident Denize Le Pennec’s epic 1966 swim Jersey is rightly proud of its own global aquatic record; with a specific relationship securely anchored to the bed of La Manche.
Our links with the accomplishments and future aspirations of The Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation is also something of which we are very proud and wish to be involved with.
Hence this particular award presented annually by the JLDSC to the CS&PF. It honours a successful swim which has been completed despite physical and mental pressures which may have thwarted any chance of success with a less determined and probably far less obstinate mortal.
LIST OF RECIPIENTS
2005: LUCY BIARD:
Lucy, a member of the Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club has been involved with club activities for several years. Her record includes a superb 41 mile Round Jersey swim in August of 2003 returning 10 hours 23 minutes, besides a couple of Round Island relay squads. In 2004 she made her intentions clear and began working on a Channel crossing for the following year. This training began over the winter months in various pools at home and on the mainland, Lucy had recently begun her sports management degree studies at Plymouth University. In May of 2005 her health began to deteriorate both suddenly and seriously and she was flown back to the Island for hospitalisation. It was confirmed that she was suffering from pleurisy and pneumonia and was kept in hospital for some considerable time. Despite this she never lost sight of her goal and as soon as her health allowed she returned to training, besides picking up her studies and busy social life. In August of that same year 2005 Lucy became the sixth member of the JLDSC that year to successfully swim the Channel. It completed a remarkable year for the club and especially for Lucy. All six conquerors, plus a thwarted member of a relay squad whose team had disintegrated around him, banded together to make one last crossing as a relay.
We are proud that the initial award has been made to one of our own for true grit and determination; it shows the way to others whose endeavours take them across La Manche and to those who are recommended for this trophy.
2006: ALAN MACLEAY:
This year our nominated recipient overcame the cynical yet somehow caring and encouraging support which you receive as part of your contract when signing up with Channel Pilot Neil Streeter ‘The Generals’ youngest. Apparently the swimmers own support crew when asked by our hero, for the umpty-umph time, how long had he been swimming advised him to hail a passing Frenchman and take an hour off the answer! ‘O’ level counting mid Channel should be mandatory for all as a guide to mental stability – or otherwise!
Despite straying from the straight and narrow on more than one occasion; coming close to bouncing off the South Goodwin buoy; feeding the fish with the contents of his stomach several times a day after meals, that’s when he actually condescended to take sustenance, rather than a basin full of petulant pudding; plus entertaining a captive audience with frequent impressions of Victor Meldrew he ploughed on, ever hopeful. With just 45 minutes left of his swim he obviously sensed the taste of victory and at last behaves himself and swims for all he was worth, according to Jill Anslow his long suffering observer.
After departing Samphire Ho 22 hours 14 minutes previously, a good days swimming by anyone’s standard, he came ashore on foreign soil at Petit Blanc Nez, at last a certified Channel Swimmer; which has earned Alan Macleay this years JLDSC Special Recognition Award.
2007: Peter Beatty
Ever mindful of the dedicated commitment, both physical and mental shown by those who stand on ‘Shaky Beach’ and look south before releasing their grip on terra firma; there are those deserving of special mention, whose tortured souls return to the scene of previous disappointment on successive occasions only to be held back once more by King Neptune and his satanic powers.
The Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club Special Recognition Award for a swim in 2007 basks in the euphoria of a swimmer so committed that he made no less than four attempts over fifteen years before he gained the right to add his name to the walls of the ‘equestrian centre’.
This year’s award goes to someone deserving of exceptionally loud applause.
The Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club recognises the 18hr 11min successful swim of:-
PETER BEATTY
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