Dateline - 26 July 2008, Dover, England

26/7/2008

Dr Stanley Paris’s first attempt to become the oldest swimmer to conquer the English Channel has not been successful.

Just two hours after leaving the water – after seven hours, 40 minutes and just over half way to France – Stanley (1952-55) and just 18 days short of his 71st birthday sent the following message:

My first attempt to become the oldest failed after seven hours and forty minutes due principally to incredibly painful cramps of the thighs and from intense nausea and gut pains that limited what I could intake at the hourly feeding. However I have another date for September 4th. Having invested so much effort in this enterprise I had booked two dates but I must now decide to stay here and try again or to toss in the towel.

Dr Stanley Paris

I could not have asked for better day weather wise. The sun occasionally broke through a high cloud cover and most importantly the wind was next to calm. Swells and gentle waves – no white caps.

I have no excuses but I experienced several problems.

1. Food and nutrients.

After the first feed stop from a squeezable bottle attached by string to the feeder, I began to experience stomach pains and soon nausea. I was using a highly recommended carbohydrate powder known as Maxim mixed with water or beverages. Most swimmers here use it. I have also and not found it to be as much of a gut problem as for instance in my case Gatorade. Two hours later I could not take much in the way of nutrients, only a third of a banana at one stop. I even tried to throw up but could not. So I began to experience a serious shortage of nutrition.

2. The tidal currents were stronger than expected even for the first day of the neap. The Pilot told Catherine and I after it was over that had we had the expected currents I would have been two thirds of the way across – not half way. But I in my mind I would have to have been at least 7/8 the of the way to have been able to hold on because of the cramps.

3. The water remained at 58 F (12 C) whereas it should be at 62 F (13.5 C) or higher by this date. However I did use two small tubs (peanut butter jar size) of a mixture of Vaseline and lanoline and entered the water via ladder from the boat carefully for it to chill and set the mixture at which point it turns white. I then swam ashore, exited, collected my thoughts, waved my arms and entered again to start the swim. Within twenty minutes the grease had gone from the anterior arm due to the slapping which occurs as the arm enters the water to begin the pull, and the grease on the thigh, which Catherine had applied very liberally and well, had for the most part gone leaving several streaks as though I had been scratched by a hand with broad finger nails. So not much for insulation. At my age men when they gain weight do so on the gut while the limbs remain with little subcutaneous fat. The thighs soon became very cold.

By the fifth hour I was getting cramp first in my left anterior thigh and later in the right. By the sixth hours I was trying to kick away the cramp by flexing fully my knee joints. By the seventh hour I had to stop to pull the heel to the buttock to stretch the anterior thigh but to little lasting help. The pain of the cramp slowed my swim from a steady 48-50 strokes per minute to a low 40. It was clear to all I was struggling. While only I could feel the pain others could see the struggle and they noticed something else – my lips were very swollen and not of a healthy color signifying the onset of hypothermia. However I was mentally clear and at my last feed clearly communicated my problems. Anfd I heard their concerns.

At 7:40 mins I was defeated. They put the ladder over the side. I pulled myself clear of the water to mid thigh testing and showing that my arms were still strong. But my legs were useless on the ladder and so I had to be hoisted the rest of the way by the Pilot and Assistant.

I of course was bitterly disappointed. The family and crew as well as Observer/Referee by contrast could only congratulate me in the circumstances.

Now I must decide whether or not to try again on September 4th. For this to be the case the following will need change:

1. The water must warm to at least 62 F.

2. I must find foods that I can ingest and digest while swimming

3. It must be an equally calm day

4. I will need to get re motivated and this point that will be very difficult.

I am positively exhausted and bored out of my mind by the long hours of swimming. Perhaps I peaked too soon and too often but to time it again might be too much.

I am the oldest every to have tried to swim the Channel and would have added some 347 days to the record had I succeeded. Perhaps however I will have to decide that the effort was valiant enough. That I have had some success and move on. The Foundation has been helped and the profile of physical therapy has not been harmed.

I shall keep you informed probably two weeks form now.

In the meantime again thanks to all of you. Sorry to disappoint but sometimes the impossible might just be that.

PS. this was written two hours after the swim was over and after a hot bath in dishing washing detergent! Now to sleep.