Pat's Channel Swim

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Hurricane Irene in Maine

Our thoughts are with everyone living in the great State of Maine. As Hurricane Irene approaches, we pray that all of you will be safe. We hope the impact of Hurricane Irene is minimal. We continue to monitor the path of Irene hourly. Please stay safe and know that we are sending our prayers from England.
Pat and Crew

Meeting two swim legends.

A few days ago we met swim legend Montserrat Tresserras of Spain. Today, we were introduced to International Swim Hall of Fame inductee and world champion marathon swimmer Shelley Taylor-Smith of Australia. She is an icon in the swim world. I was awe struck! In the photo starting on the left, Shelley, Jeannie Gallant (crew member), myself, and Montserrat.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Update from Dover

Many swimmers throughout the world have come to Dover,England to attempt to swim the English Channel. I had a wonderful opportunity to speak to several of them about their dreams of swimming the channel. Also, I spoke to them about my hopes of promoting the yearly global swim event called "Swim for your Heart..Feb 14". This event brings an awareness of heart disease and it's prevention. Swimmers can organize a swim in their hometown and raise money for their local heart association, cardiac rehabilitation center, or cardiac facility. Yesterday, a swimmer from Australia said he will organize 200 swimmers to participate and send proceeds to the Australian Heart Association. A swimmer from South Africa said that she would take part and contact fellow swimmers. I met a college swim captain from the USA and she said she will organize an event on Feb 14. Also, I met a long distance swimmer from New York City, and he said he will promote this event in his area. Several swimmers from Mexico were in Dover and they wore their "Swim for you Heart" logo, they will be participating in next years' event. They will be sending their proceeds to the Mexican Heart Association. Many of you know that my brother Robbie died at the age of 34 of a heart attack. It was a tremendous loss to our family. He was such a wonderful person. In promoting "Swim for Your Heart..Feb 14", I hope other families will not experience the tragedy that we went through. Many in the global swim community will join in thought and action on February 14 and bring the aware of heart disease prevention. I hope you will join me and the thousands of swimmers globally in promoting this event. Thank you.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

What a day!

This is my first opportunity to update everyone. I would like to begin by thanking my family, friends, co-workers for their words of encouragement and support. A special thank you for my daughter Sarah for updating my blog from reports sent to her from my crew. Also, I want to thank my husband Jim for his unending support of my passion for open water swimming. And a special thank you to my son Tom who encouraged me several years ago to try to swim the Peaks to Portland as a tribute to Robbie. I will never forget his words, "Ma, you could if you tried". I never imagined that 14 years later that I would successfully swim the English Channel at the age of 60. Also, I want to thank everyone who sent me emails...I received over 2500 emails today congratulating me. I am very overwhelmed by their thoughtfulness. It was very much appreciated And now for my swim: I found out moments before the swim started that my boat pilot had a problem with his tracking device....sorry about the inconvenience. I want to thank my Channel crew for their great support during my swim. My brother David took many photos and I will create a new slide show for my blog after I return home on Tuesday. My sister-in-law Jeannie text messaged Sarah with my progress. My nephew Kyle took plenty of video clips and photos of my swim. Then, my nephew Christopher (Robbie's son) stood on the boat deck for 15 hours and 57 minutes and watched me swim the English Channel. Since I had 4 crew members, I instructed them to rotate monitoring my swim every hour. So they could have a break. Chris never took a break. He stood there and helped me in so many ways. It was a very special moment for us. He wrote his dad's name on my arm prior to the start of my swim. Moments before the start of my swim, all crew members joined hands and I said "This is for Robbie". I started my swim from Shakespeare Beach near Dover. The tide was very weak and I came within half a mile of France. I thought I was going to have an under 12 hour swim. But then the current change and I was swept beyond Cape Grey Nez, France. I knew at that point my swim would be an additional four to six hours. The water was very turbulent. It was very difficult..I was swimming in waves of four feet coming at me from every direction...it's best to describe it "like swimmming in a washing machine". When I reached the finish line, Christopher was going to be on the dinghy to greet me on the beach but it was to dangerous for him because of crashing waves. I finished at Cap Gris-Nez. It is beyond words to explain the feeling of completing my swim. When I returned to the Viking Princess, Chris hugged me and I said "this was for your dad." It was a special moment for all my crew members. I will be returning to Maine on Tuesday...and I'm so looking forward to seeing everyone..especially my grandchildren, Thank you again for having an interest in my swim.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Swim time under 16 hours....

I just got a phone call from the boat crew.
Everyone is sick and throwing up due to the rough water conditions of the return boat ride...."boat ride from hell" is what they are calling it.
No official time or miles to report; just that the swim time was under 16 hours.
When they hit land, they will call to give the final details of swim.
Will continue to keep you all posted.

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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, 74 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