Pat's Channel Swim: May 2017

Sunday, May 21, 2017

MOLOKAI SWIM UPDATE

Swimming between Oahu and Molokai in Hawaii was an adventure of a lifetime. It was not an easy swim. I found that Molokai Channel was my most difficult swim of the Ocean's Seven Challenge. Molokai was my 6th swim of the challenge. The difficulty was not the distance of 26 miles but the currents. They are strong and powerful. Many times I felt like I was swimming in place and I was. I did have a few encounters with marine life. I was stung at least ten times by jellyfish. These jellyfish left painful red marks on my skin and welts. During the 8th hour I was bumped in my leg. I told the kayaker and he notified the main boat. They quickly scanned the water looking for a shark. But none was found, they presumed it was a dolphin. After that, I stayed within a foot of the Shark Shield (electronic device to deter sharks). A pod of pilot whales decided to visit. My kayaker Michael Scott was able to take video with his drone of them and said they were about two feet from my feet. He was able to capture a video of them spouting rainbows from their blowhole. Incredible footage!! ( As soon as I receive his footage, I will post it. ). The after effects from a marathon swim varies but typically includes a very sore tongue due to prolong salt water exposure. My tongue is very painful and has a thick white coating. It was difficult to speak in the first few hours due to swelling. At the end of my marathon swim, I crawled on my hands and knees onto the beach. It's very common to have "sea legs" causing unsteadyness. I didn't want to stand immediately and then fall and break something. So I sat on the beach for a couple of minutes. When I stood, I was expectedly unsteady. My unsteady gait lasted for a few hours after my swim. Again, it is common for many marathon swimmer to have temporary effects from a long distance ocean swim. My skin exposure to the sun took its toll....I got a very bad sunburn. I have yet to find a sun screen product that last for several hours while swimming. Due to several jellyfish stings, I have several red marks and open areas on my skin. My worse sting was on my lips which caused painful swelling. I am currently treating all wounds....some with an antibiotic ointment others with special wound bandages. I'm treating my bad sunburn with aloe. And yes , it was worth the pain to have a successful swim. The pain will last only a couple of days but the joy of a successful swim will last a lifetime. Now to get back to my Molokai swim adventure. During my eighth hour of swimming, I felt like throwing in the towel and quitting my swim. I was getting sick and tired of being stung by jellyfish. Also I was having problems with motion sickness causing several episodes of vomiting. During these episodes of vomiting, my left leg was starting to have legs spasms. I turned to my young kayaker and mentioned that I was thinking of quitting. He encouraged me to continue. He said, "you will feel so much better when the sun comes up." He was right. I felt stronger at daybreak.
I reached the finish line of Sandy Beach, Oahu in a time of 23 hours and 54 minutes. I became the 52nd person in their history to successfully swim across the channel and set a world record for the oldest woman. Age 66 years 107 days old.
My crew consisted of my brother David and sister-in-law Jeannie, my brother Bill and sister-in-law Jean. They did an incredible job. Crewing is a very exhausting and difficult job. I can't thank them enough.
My boat Pilot Mike Twigg-Smith was amazing. He was able to find the correct course through the very strong currents. My tracker was on his boat because it's not waterproof. He would speed ahead about 400 yards and assess currents. Then he would steer his boat back toward me. That is why some people thought I was swimming fast and was puzzled that I was backtracking. I had three kayakers taking two hour stints to direct me through the currents. I would highly recommend him as a pilot for any future channel swimmers
The Ka'iwi Channel Association swim coordinator Steve Haumschild did a fantastic job organizing all the logistics. I would highly recommend his organization, too.
My stay-at-home crew were amazing, too. My daughter Sarah and son Tom posted on Facebook updates of my progress. I can't thank them enough. Also, my husband Jim has been a tremendous support.
Also I want to thank Matt Goldstein and Paul Barrieau who greeted me at the finish line. They were a tremendous help.
I would like to thank everyone who sent emails, text messages, and phone calls. Your heartfelt comments were greatly appreciated.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Molokai Channel Swim....It's a go!

This evening my crew and I met with my boat pilot Michael Twigg-Smith and Kaiwi Channel coordinator Steve Haumschild. Mike made the decision to start my swim attempt of Molokai Channel on Friday, May 19 at 5p.m. (Hawaii time zone). In Maine the time will be 11pm Friday night (Eastern Time Zone). Steve is coordinating all the logistics of transporting us to Molokai Island. My swim will start from Molokai Island and I will swim across the channel to Oahu. The distance is approximately 28 miles. I will have a spot tracker activated the moment my swim starts. Click on the link below to follow my swim. The tracker will update my progess every 10 minutes. Regardless of the outcome of my swim, I will write a follow-up swim report within 24 hours. This will be my 6th swim of the Ocean Seven Challenge. My crew is very well prepared for the challenges that I will be facing. I can't thank them enough for taking the time out of their busy schedule to come and crew for me. Also, I would like to thank my husband Jim and children Sarah and Tom for their ongoing love and support of my marathon swim adventures. http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0czIGEGQx5pYenRzzLvOnJqSr7iYxDhY1

Monday, May 8, 2017

Update on Molokai swim

On Tuesday, May 16 my crew and I will be meeting with my boat pilot to discuss target swim date. I have a two week slot. So far, increase winds are in the forecast for the 17th and 18th and a swim is doubtful for those days. I will update my blog after the meeting on the 16th and I will post a link to the tracker next week. I would like to thank my brothers and sister-in-laws David and Jeannie Gallant and Bill and Jean Gallant for taking two weeks off from their busy schedule to crew for me. And, many thanks to my stay-at-home crew, husband Jim and children Sarah and Tom for their words of encouragement and support. It's greatly appreciated.

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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