TERMINOLOGY
Afterdrop
The continued cooling of the your core body temperature after you get out of cold water.
During long, cold swims, the body restricts blood flow to your extremities (which is why they become cold), in order to keep a warmer blood supply around your core to protect your organs.
Once out the water and you’re starting to rewarm, the blood circulating in your extremities - that has become cold - returns to your core, causing it to cool even further. This typically happens for 30-45 minutes, meaning hypothermia can set in even after a swim is finished.
CSA
Channel Swimming Association. One of two organisations (the original) who officiate channel swims and have recorded channel swims since the beginning of time. They have 6 affiliated pilots boats.
CS&PF
Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation. The other organisation who officiate channel swims, also with 6 affiliated pilot boats.
DCT
Dover Channel Training. A volunteer membership organisation based in Dover, who offer swim training weekends, swim coaching, webinars, resources, information on safety, kit & medicals and an online shop.
Dovercoaster
The emotional rollercoaster of the high hope and excitement and low frustration and disappointment felt when the swim booked 2+ years ago is repeatedly postponed or completely aborted, due to bad weather, strong currents or winds, rough seas or boat problems, while the swimmer just sits in Dover and waits.
Swimmers are added to a waiting list for the next suitable tide (approx. 2 weeks later) AFTER the people with booked slots for that tide.
So after missing your tide, there’s no guarantee you will get your swim that month or even that season. Swimmers and their support team, can spend days or even weeks waiting for the right window of weather and tide.
The Dovercoaster brings practical problems too, e.g. your crew has to get back to work and can’t wait for another tide; the paid for accommodation is now wasted and it’s hard to rebook later... at short notice... in holiday season. And you don’t even know when/if you’ll get another slot anyway.
When the face is submerged in cold water, the skin’s cold receptors send signals to the brain, causing blood vessels in the head to rapidly contract and expand. This triggers pain (stabbing, aching, numbness, tingling), and can lead to breathlessness, involuntary gasping, physical incapacitation, cardiovascular strain and panic.
Face Freeze
GAD
Go all day. The pace that feels as if you could keep going all day; not a slow, comfortable plod; nor a sprint; a reasonable, steady pace that you know you can keep going at.
OW(S)
Open water (swimming), e.g. lakes, rivers, sea.
SIPE
Swimming-Induced Pulmonary Oedema. When fluid accumulates in the lungs causing breathlessness, coughing (sometimes with blood), tight chest and rapid pulse. The exact cause isn’t known, though it’s thought to relate to increased pressure on blood vessels due to exertion, immersion & cold water.
What to do: stop swimming and seek immediate medical attention. SIPE is serious and potentially life-threatening.
Skins
Swimming in a standard swimming costume/briefs, or lightweight swimskin only, i.e. no wetsuit or other thermal protection.