reply to post by Snowi
"Watch Walliams' Channel swim
Walliams trained for a year for his remarkable Sport Relief Super Swim
Follow the story of David Walliams' extraordinary efforts to swim across the English Channel for Sport Relief in a very special BBC One
documentary.
Sport Relief presents 'Little Britain's Big Swim' will be shown at 2000 BST on Thursday 13 July.
We go behind-the-scenes to see the comedian's punishing 10-months of exhausting training for the attempt.
Little Britain co-star Matt Lucas provides the voiceover as we share all the highs and lows along the way.
Sneak Preview: Little Britain's Big Swim
www.sportrelief.com/superswim
Walliams successfully completed the 21-mile swim across the English Channel to France on Tuesday 4 July.
The 34-year-old comedian, who entered the water at Shakespeare Beach in Dover, Kent, at 0531 BST on Tuesday, reached France at about 1600 BST.
He had expected the crossing to take 14 hours, so was "relieved and pleased" to make it in 10 hours and 30 minutes.
Walliams undertook the gruelling swim as part of Sport Relief, and so far he has raised £587,860 for the charity.
But you can help him raise even more, and recognise his amazing achievement by going to his website and donating some money. "
news.bbc.co.uk...
English Channel swimming record
In 1873 Webb was serving as captain of the steamship Emerald when he read an account of the failed attempt by J. B. Johnson to swim the English
Channel. He became inspired to try himself, and left his job to begin training, first at Lambeth Baths, then in the cold waters of the Thames and the
English Channel.
On 12 August 1875 he made his first cross-Channel swimming attempt, but strong winds and poor sea conditions forced him to abandon the swim.
On 24 August 1875 he began a second swim by diving in from the Admiralty Pier at Dover. Backed by three chase boats and smeared in porpoise oil, he
set off into the ebb tide at a steady breaststroke. Despite stings from jellyfish and strong currents off Cap Gris Nez which prevented him reaching
the shore for five hours, finally, after 21 hours and 45 minutes, he landed near Calais—the first successful cross-channel swim. His zig-zag course
across the Channel was over 39 miles (64 km) long.
Note he swam in zig zag course!
[edit on 28-4-2010 by Horus12]