Pat's Channel Swim: July 2011

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Countdown to Dover

In two weeks I will be leaving for Dover with my crew. All final preparations are complete. I'm continuing to train 6 days a week in the Atlantic Ocean. Each day varies in the amount of swimming. I have stopped weight lifting and cross training. My swim taper will start the day I depart for England. At the age of 60, I continue to feel strong and energetic. I will be swimming under the rules of the English Channel Swim Association. They will have an official on board to monitor my swim. Reg Brickell is my boat pilot. His boat is named the Viking Princess. My slot is from August 18th to the 28th. When I receive word from Reg about the start time of my swim, I will post it. One of my crew members will have a phone on board and he will relay updates every few hours. I'm feeling very positive about my upcoming swim. I've trained hard and I'm ready. My brother Robbie's name will be written on my arm as a tribute to him. His 16 year old son Christopher is part of my crew along with my brother David, sister-in-law Jeannie, and nephew Kyle. I am honored to have them as my crew. And many thanks to my husband, children, friends, family and co-workers for being very supportive. It is greatly appreciated.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Daily News of Open Water Swimming.....Great Review of the Peaks to Portland

Before the Peaks to Portland Swim, Ellen Shockro of California introduced herself to me. She's an amazing athlete and swim enthusiast. Today, I received an email from her and she mentioned that she wrote an article about Saturday's 2.4 mile ocean swim for the internationally recognized website "The Daily News of Open Water Swimming" . It's a fantastic article on the Peaks to Portland Swim. Please visit their website http://dailynewsofopenwaterswimming.com/ . I'm hoping that swimmers in the international community will want to plan a vacation in Maine next year and swim the Peaks to Portland. It's a great swim promoted by the Cumberland County YMCA. Also, it's a YMCA fundraiser that all proceeds go directly to their swim programs. Thank you, Ellen, for writing such a great review of the Peaks to Portland 30th Anniversary Swim. It is very much appreciated.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Peaks to Portland Swim 2011

On Saturday July 16, 2011 the Peaks to Portland Swim (30th Anniversary)had a record breaking number of swimmers. Nearly 300 swimmers participated and 19 swimmers were in the no-wetsuit division. All participants finished the swim. Congratulations to all swimmers. Again, the Cumerland County Portland YMCA did an exceptional job organizing this event. Almost all swimmers had a kayaker at their side for safety. Some swimmers decided not to have a kayaker but there were several boats along the course if needed. Safety is priorty with this event. Every swimmer received a beautiful "30th Anniversary" Peaks to Portland medal to wear proudly around their neck as they crossed the finish line. Also, one of the P2P organizers' Terry Swain was the designated "last" swimmer...she was smiling and looked strong as she crossed the finish line. Great job, Terry! The award ceremony recognized the top three swimmers for the non-wetsuit and wetsuit division. (The Y will be posting all swimmers' times soon). However, the remainder of the non-wetsuit competitors were ranked with the wetsuit division...hopefully next year the non-wetsuit swimmers will have their own ranking system. Also, many swimmers broke the infamous "one hour" time...congratulations to all. And a special recognition of Yoko Aoshima who participated in her very first open water swim competition...three years ago, she did not know how to swim and she took swim lessons at the Y. She had a remarkable swim. Awesome job,Yoko! It was exciting to see that many more "non-wetsuit" swimmers participated this year...water temp was 60-63 degrees. The P2P had a record number of out-of-state swimmers who planned this swim around a vacation in the great state of Maine....hope you come back next year. Also, this year East End Beach had a record number of spectators to welcome all swimmers as they reached the finish line...it was a spectacular greeting for all swimmers to experience. And finally, the P2P is not only a great swim event organized by the Y but it's a fundraiser to help with their swim programs. If you would like to make a donation, please contact the Cumberland County YMCA Portland branch. Thank you

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Final Preparations for the English Channel

Next month, I will be leaving for Dover for a solo attempt of the English Channel. I completed a 10 hour ocean swim on July 2 as part of the final weeks of training. Water temp was 59 to 62 degrees and conditions were variable from calm to very choppy. I continue to train 6 days a week. I've tested Hammer Nutrition Ultra Endurance (liquid carb and protein) during several training swims. I used the same product during my 2008 crossing....it's a great product. Crew training is complete. I will not start my taper until I board the plane to England. Every swimmer has an "Achilles Heel", mine is motion sickness. I'm fortunate to live in Maine (USA) where water conditions have been very choppy in the past month....this has helped me to become more acclimated to choppy conditions. At the age of 60, I'm not any faster but my endurance has certainly improved. Many thanks to my family and friends who have been very supportive of my endeavor. And a special "thank you" to my husband Jim who encouraged me several years to reach for this dream.

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Go Grandma! You can do it, if you try!

Meet Pat Gallant-Charette, a native of Maine, Westbrook resident, University of Southern Maine graduate, wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and retired nurse. In her spare time, 73 year old Pat is a marathon swimmer. In her first attempt of the English Channel at the age of 58, success was snatched from her grasp in July 2008. After swimming 16 hours in the Channel, with the lights in French homes encouraging her and still feeling strong, Pat fought impenetrable currents for four hours just 1.7 miles from the finish line. While Pat had made it across....and that was a dream come true...the ultimate challenge had eluded her. In 2009, prevaling winds prevented Pat from starting her second attempt of the English Channel. Pat returned to Maine determined to return to Dover for another attempt. She came late to the Gallant-Charette swimming club. Her son Tom was on the Westbrook High School swim team and her youngest brother, Robbie Gallant twice won the 2.4 mile Peaks to Portland swim. Robbie, just 34 years old, was a loving husband, and devoted father to three year old Christopher when he suffered a fatal heart attack twenty years ago. Soon after Robbie's untimely death, Pat's son Tom said, "Ma, I'd like to swim the Peaks to Portland as a tribute to Uncle Robbie." Pat replied, "Tom, that's so sweet, I wish I could do the same." Looking at her encouragingly, Tom said, "You can, if you try." Those words inspired Pat to swim Peaks. At the age of 46 her fitness regime had consisted mainly of walking, but with a regular workout schedule at the local pool, Pat gradually built up her endurance. She met the qualifying requirement for the Peaks to Portland swim the following year. You can only imagine her emotion on finding her young nephew Christopher waiting for her at the end of that swim....that success encouraged her to seek other goals, including a double crossing of Maine's Big Sebago Lake (12 miles), and the Great Chesapeake Bay swim (4.4 miles) where stroke by stroke Pat repeated her mantra, "You can, if you try". She started her marathon swim career at the age of 58. Then on June 16, 2010 at the age of 59 years and 134 days Pat swam across the Strait of Gibraltar (Spain to Africa) in a time of 3 hours and 28 minutes. And much to her surprise, placed 3rd fastest woman's time since 1928, set the U.S.Woman's record for fastest time, and the new record for the fastest time for any woman or man over the age of 50 worldwide. Pat nurtured the belief that she was capable of swimming the English Channel, considered by many to be the greatest test of a long distance swimmer. While nominally 20.7 miles, strong tides and currents in the Channel make the real distance covered by swimmers 30 miles or more. On August 22, 2011 Pat entered the English Channel determined to reach France. The English Channel Swimming Association awarded her with the "Rosemary George Award for the 'Most Meritorious Swim of the Year' for 2011." Then, on October 18, 2011 Pat at the age of 60 years and 258 days set a new World Record for the Oldest Woman to swim from Catalina Island to the mainland of California ( 21 mile swim). Her swim was dedicated to her brother Johnny who died at the age of seventeen in a tragic accident. Pat founded "Valentine's Day...Swim for your Heart" a global swim event to bring an awareness of heart disease and prevention. http://swimforyourheartfeb14.com She encourages swimmers worldwide to participate in thought and action by swimming on February 14. Swimmers donate to their favorite heart charity or program. In 2011 the "Daily News of Open Water Swimming" announced the nominees for the "World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year" award. Pat at the age of 60 was nominated for this award. Then in 2012 at the age of 61, she was nominated for World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year" award. Also, in 2012 and 2013 she was selected as one of 101 women worldwide as "101 Movers and Shakers" in the world of open water swimming.....known as "open water ambassadors, spreading their enthusiasm and passion for the sport. ". In 2016 at the age of 65, she was nominated for World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year and nominated for Global Marathon Swimmers Federation Solo Swim of the Year for her record setting North Channel swim. Pat was inducted into the Maine Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame on April 12, 2014.

In 2012 Pat announced that she will attempt to swim the Oceans Seven Challenge. On September 13, 2012 she completed Japan's Tsugaru Strait (her fourth swim of the challenge) in a time of 19 hours and 36 minutes (33 miles) and set a world record for the oldest woman to swim Tsugaru Strait at the age of 61 years and 224 days. In August 2013 Pat attempted to swim the North Channel between Ireland and Scotland. After swimming for 16 hours and 43 minutes and less than one mile from the finish line, the tidal flow changed directions and prevented Pat from completing her swim. On January 24, 2014 Pat attempted to swim Cook Strait in New Zealand. Mother Nature provided very strong tidal flows preventing her from reaching the finish line after several hours of swimming. In July of 2015, Pat returned home from Ireland after waiting two weeks for an opportunity to swim the North Channel. Mother Nature provided unsettled weather and a swim was not permitted. On August 24, 2016 Pat attempted a solo crossing of the North Channel with boat pilot Quinton Nelson, crew members Tom Charette and Fergal Somerville. The North Channel is regarded as one of the most challenging swims in the world with its prolific blooms of jellyfish, cold water temperatures, and unforgiving strong currents. She was successful in a time of 14 hours and 22 minutes. At the age of 65 years and 204 days, she set a Guinness World Record for the oldest woman to swim the most challenging channel swim in the world. She became the 41st person in history to complete this grueling channel. On May 20, 2017 at the age of 66 years and 107 days old, she had successful solo crossing of the Molakai Channel between the islands of Oahu and Molokai in a time of 23 hours and 54 minutes....setting a record for oldest woman to swim Molokai Channel. Twenty-eight days after her successful swim of Molokai channel, Pat attempted to swim the English Channel. On June 17, 2017 at the age of 66 years and 135 days she had a successful crossing of the English Channel and setting a Guinness World Record for oldest woman to swim the channel. Her son Tom who encouraged her many years ago to try open water swimming was her crew. On November 4, 2017 the English Channel Swimming Association awarded her the O'Clee Trophy for Oldest Successful Swimmer and the Mercedes Glietze Trophy for Female Pioneer Swim. Mercedes' daughter presented Pat with the prestigious award.

On August 30, 2017 Pat completed a solo crossing of Lake Ontario, Canada. Also, known as the Marilyn Bell route, 32 miles. In a time of 24 hours and 28 minutes. She set a new world record for the oldest woman at the age of 66 years and 209 days old. Pat is now a member of the 24 hour club. On November 1, 2017 the World Open Water Swimming Association announced their nominees for WOWSA, Woman of the Year. Pat was nominated with eleven amazing women. This is Pat's fourth nomination for World Open Water Swimmer, Woman of the Year since the age of 60.

In 2018 Pat was chosen by Swimsuits for All for a photoshoot in California. Fabulous product!

On September 20, 2017 Pat announced that she will attempt the "Still Water Eight". The eight lakes include: Lake Ontario (Canada), Loch Ness (Scotland), Sea of Galilee (Israel), Lake Taupo (New Zealand), Lake Tahoe (USA), Lake Zurich (Switzerland), Lake Malawi (Africa) and Lake Titicaca (Bolivia-Peru). She completed Lake Ontario in 2017. On June 30, 2018 at the age of 67 and 148 days Pat completed a solo swim around the 28 mile Manhattan Island (20 Bridges Marathon Swim) in a time of 10 hours and 53 minutes. She set a Guinness World Record for Oldest Person to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. The Triple Crown consist of Catalina Channel at age 60, English Channel at age 66, and Manhattan at age 67. And, a record for the Oldest Woman to successfully swim around Manhattan Island.

On August 7, 2018 Pat completed a solo crossing of the 22 mile length of Lake Tahoe in a time of 20 hours and 32 seconds at the age of 67 years and 186 days. Setting a new record for the oldest person. On August 19, 2018 Pat completed the 23 mile solo swim of Loch Ness, Scotland in a time of 13 hours and 45 minutes becoming the Oldest Person at the age of 67 years and 198 days to swim the length of Loch Ness. On August 22, 2018 She had a successful 10.5 mile solo crossing of Lake Windermere in England in a time of 7 hours and 38 minutes. On November 2, 2018 the World Open Water Swimming Association announced that Pat was nominated for World Open Water Swimming, Woman of the Year. This is Pat’s fifth nomination since the age of 60. On November 10, 2018 Ned Denison, Chairperson for the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame announced the induction of Pat to the IMSHOF. She was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in March 2019 in Australia. Her son Tom accompanied her.

In January 2019, Pat was named among the World’s 50 Most Adventurous Open Water Women. The Maine Sports Hall of Fame announced that Pat will be inducted in May 2019. On March 2, 2019 at the age of 68 Pat attempted her final challenge of the Oceans Seven’s....Cook Strait in New Zealand. After swimming for 12 hours and the finish line within a few miles, adverse tidal flow changed and winds increased. Her swim was stopped.

On August 1, 2019 Pat had a successful solo crossing of Lake Memphremagog in Vermont to complete the Triple Crown of Monster Swims ( Loch Ness, Lake Tahoe, and Lake Memphremagog) and become the Oldest Person to complete the Triple Crown. She set the record for Oldest Person to swim the 25 miles under the Marathon Swimmers Federation rules. On September 18, 2021 Pat swam from Anacapa Island to the California mainland (12.2 miles) in 9 hours and 22 minutes. She set a record for the oldest person to complete the California Triple Crown and the oldest person to swim a solo crossing of the Santa Barbara Channel at the age of 70 years and 228 days. On April 25, 2022 Pat had a successful swim crossing of the Sea of Galilee (North to South) in Israel (13 miles) in 8 hours and 22 minutes at the age of 71 years and 82 days….setting the record for oldest woman. On September 19, 2022 Pat had a successful swim across Bristol Channel from Porthcawl Wales to Glenthorne England (16 miles) at the age of 71 years and 228 days. She set the record for Oldest to complete the Original Triple Crown of Marathon Swimming (English Channel, North Channel, and Bristol Channel), as well as the first American and oldest to swim Bristol Channel route Porthcawl to Glenthorne. Pat has received eight Guinness World Records in marathon swimming. She was nominated for WOWSA, Woman of the Year in January 2023. On May 22, 2023 Pat at the age of 72 years and 109 days successfully completed the 24km swim across Lake Malawi in a time of 13hours and 5 minutes (ratified by MSF). She followed the rules of the Marathon Swimmers Federation. She set the record for oldest woman to swim that route. On September 2, 2023 Pat successfully completed the 26.4 km swim from Rapperswil to the City of Zurich, Switzerland in a time of 13 hours and 10 minutes (pending ratification by MSF) at the age of 72 years and 212 days. She followed the rules of the Marathon Swimmers Federation. She set the record for oldest women to swim that route. Pat has successfully completed six swims of the Stillwater Eight Challenge. In January 2024 the World Open Water Swimming Association announced the ten finalist for Woman of the Year for 2023. Pat placed fourth in the final round of voting. Contact information: patgallant.charette@gmail.com

2017 English Channel swim