Updated 18th October 2009 RETURN TO HOME PAGE
Standard letter & information for 2009 onwards
NEAP TIDES -- WEB SITES -- PILOTS CONTACTS -- OFFICE -- SWIM PERIOD
Click on the above links to go direct to the listed section.
"English" Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation
Below is the information for all new enquiries to get them started on
their search for information reference swimming the English Channel.
It is fairly comprehensive and gives you most of the answers that
someone seriously contemplating swimming the English Channel needs.
There is a lot more information within the web site pages and in the
'Swimmers Chat site' archives.
The "Swimmers chat site" is a independent forum and "virtual club"
used by swimmers and interested parties world wider to communicate
through. It is part of Goggle Groups setup with a comprehensive web site
offering an archive of messages with with extensive search facilities.
If you would like to be invited contact the CS&PF office.
The office e-mail link is ------------ michael.oram@btinternet.com
NOTE- Please make sure any e-mails sent to us in the office
have "Channel swimming" in the subject line
(with team or persons name or initials for identification).
We have 400+ e-mails per day to sort through and as most is
Spam, anything not clearly mark might be eliminated by mistake.
The CS&PF is a Governing body for English Channel swimming and is officially recognised by both the British and French authorities as such.
We are a member of the ASA, CCPR (Central Council Physical Recreation) and UK Sport. Our registration is as a Governing Body of English Channel Swimming. We have the same recognition other sporting organisations worldwide.
The CS&PF is now by far the biggest organisation reference English Channel Swimming. Our office database holds a comprehensive list of all English Channel swims the have been ratified by a recognised organisation. It includes the latest list of the swimming records for all the ratified swim attempts since Captain Webb in August 1875.
The Federation is run by volunteers - not paid staff - to help swimmers realise their dreams of attempting to swim the English Channel. While we do our best to manage things efficiently, please remember that we all have other work to do and full time businesses to run or jobs to go to.
If the CS&PF were run on paid staff and with its own office premises and equipment the fees it would have to charge to survive would have to be much higher and Channel swimming would become "out of reach" for the majority of its participants.
Please understand that Channel Swimming is both an “Extreme & Endurance” sport. Safety has to come first, second and third. There is a reason for the rules we work under and the paperwork we request to make your swim attempt as safe as possible. You have a "Duty of Care" to yourself and your team to be as 'best prepared' as possible and understand the task you are taking on.
If you need help and information setting up your swim, training or general advise the best way to get it; after reading through the web pages, is to become a member of the "swimmers chat site". That way you can ask questions, add your comments, and get a lot of help and advice from other swimmers and trainers. You can also find out if anyone local to you is training for a swim or has tried one. The "Chat site" is a free site that any open water swimmers and interested persons can join. It is not a CAS&PF only chat site. We are taking bookings for 2009 - 2010 - 2011 - 2012 - 2013 - 2014 and the pilots already have quite a few places reserved well in advance. You check the availability of CS&PF pilots and reserve places by going to the pilots direct, the office does not always have an up to date list unfortunately. (See the bottom of this page for Pilot information and their e-mail addresses). Full information for the pilots and their vessels is in the "ESCORT BOATS" link on this page. They can also be found on the other web sites associated with us.
By going direct to the pilot you will find out first hand what is still available. You can reserve your place with them directly. Once you have made your commitment and agreed terms and dates with the pilot please let the office know so that you can be added to the swim lists. Make sure you understand how the pilots work and what their terms of business are as laid out in their contracts. The pilot will advise you of their fees, payment methods and when the deposits need to be paid by. Your pilots swim contract is an agreement between you and the pilot - The pilots are all running the own businesses. The CS&PF recognise and register the pilots included on their list. You should keep a copy of everything in a personal file for future reference. Keep a copy of the contract in your swim file.
The CS&PF registration and swim fees are a separate item to your pilots fees.
The office will send out the CS&PF paperwork to swimmers that are registered
with us at the end of December in the year before your swim booking.
This is usually by e-mail to the e-mail address you supply us with.
All the paperwork must be completed in the year of your swim.
REGISTRATION is from 1st JANUARY in the YEAR OF YOUR SWIM.
YOU MUST complete the CS&PF APPLICATION and MEDICAL forms and
return them to the office as soon as possible.
ALL PAPERWORK MUSt BE COMPLETED BY THE 31st MAY
If you can not work within this time frame YOU MUST talk to the office well in
advance to see what can be arranged.
ALL SWIM APPLICATIONS NOT COMPLETED ON TIME CAN BE CANCELED
BY THE OFFICE AS OF THE 1st JUNE.
NO REFUNDS OF ADMIN OR MEBERSHIP FEES PAID WIILL BE MADE.
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SWIM PERIODS We often get asked, "When is the best time to swim"? This is a complicated question to answer. The Channel Swimming season is usually from late June to the end of September/ beginning of October. ------ In June and early July the water is still warming up and can be anything around the 14°C to 16°C (58 to 61°F) mark - but the days are longer and the air temperature usually "warm".
At the end of July beginning of August the water is warming up - around the 17°C (62°F) and the air temperature is still good but the weather can be unsettled.
End of August and beginning of September the water should be about 18°C to 19°C - but the days are getting shorter and the air temperature is often dropping to the 15°C 58°F mark.
Mid to the end of September the water is often at its warmest but the days are short and the air temperature during daylight is often around the same as the water temperature or lower. The nights are cold.
A quick summery is that --- No time is a good time and you cannot predict what is going to happen with the weather much more than 5 days in advance, a couple of days often the limit. This applies to any time of the year for the Channel.
Weather Forecasts can be obtained from many different sources on the internet. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk ----- Is the main one on which the pilots use. Most of the other sites are based on this Met office data. Everything can be scoured from this site but it can be technical and involved. http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather --- A simpler version of the above with lots of information. Gives you the shipping forecast - inshore waters forecast - Local forecast - coastal weather forecast (up to 12 miles out to sea) - the synopsis charts for both the British isles and the Atlantic (use Atlantic charts) - a 5 day perdition of local weather (not very often right). This site explains weather and has a lot of interesting reading in it's articles. http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=62304 Sandette lightship weather site - 24 hour record of what is actually happening in the Channel. (With reference to the wave height readings - these are about ½ of the wave height.) http://www.xcweather.co.uk ---- A interesting site for weather around the UK and Europe. It is linked to the data buoys like the one above and gives you a five day prediction. This site is good to watch but is not very accurate for forecasting in advance. It is a good example of how the "predictions" vary from the "actual" wind. It will help you realise the Channel is a very unpredictable and temperamental place.
NEAP TIDES TOP OF PAGE Approximate 2010 neap tides - 19th to 30th June -- 1st to 10th July 19th to 27th July ----- 1st to 8th August ------ 17th to 24th August 30th to 6th September --- 14th to 22nd September ---- 29th September to 1st week October The tides for 2011 are Last week of June to 1st July 7th to 18th July 21st to 29th July 7th to 12th August 20th to 27th August 5th to 10th September 18th to 24th September The tides for 2012 are 26th to 30th June 10th to 18th July 26th to 31st July 8th to 16th August 25th to 29th August 7th to 14th September 23rd to 27th September The tides for 2013 are 30th June to 8th July 15th July to 20th July 29th July to 6th August 14th August to 18th August 27th August 4th September 12th to 17th September 25th to 30th September
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Swimming on the spring tides has become more popular over the past few years if you want to talk about swimming on them then let your pilot know your thoughts. Spring tide swims are always more “weather critical” and need calmer weather conditions than the Neap tides. They do however appear more settled and swims are becoming a much more regular occurrence on them.
WEB SITES The official CS&PF web site is www.channelswimming.net with our rules, pilot information and other information on it. There is a lot of swimming information on www.channelswimming.com This is Michael & Angela Oram's personal site. The information includes successful swim lists to 2000 (to be updated), pilot information and links etc.
There are many other sites full of information that are up and running - see the links on the chat site and web site pages.
CHAT SITE As mentioned at the top of the page - there is a "chat" site which we can invite you to (it is totally free but by invitation only), just let us know if you want to join. You can use the chat site to ask questions, make connect with other swimmers and members and search the archives for information previously sent in reference the many questions that have been asked. The chat site web page has search facilities to help you find information in its vast collection of past e-mails and is easy to use.
The pilots swim fees are usually set by them indevidually in of October the year before your swim season. This is because this is usually the earliest period when the pilots can assess their expenses for the coming year. As a guide, most of the pilot/escort boat fees for the 2010 season are being set at around £2200 to £2250 for a 1-way crossing - The non-returnable deposit secures your booking (usually around £1000). You need to agree and sign your pilots contact and return the deposit confirm your booking the notify the CS&PF of the pilot, date and e-mail contact. If you are booking for more than a season in advance there is often a £250 non-returnable reservation fee. This is credited as part of your deposit. Each pilot sets his/her own fees. These are between you and the pilot. These are not controlled by the CS&PF in any way. We do hold the pilots booking lists in the office as of the end of November but they are not not always up to date. We use these lists for correspondence information. You need to register with us as soon as your pilot reservation is confirmed. You pilot will also confirm your registration once you have sorted out contracts and deposits. PILOTS INFORMATION You need to contact the pilots directly for their up to date booking information. Eddie Spelling -- esdrain@aol.com
Mike & Lance Oram -- michael.oram@btinternet.com use this e-mail for bookings --
lance.oram@btinternet.com
Neil Streeter ---- suva@emma2france.com - for bookings
channelcharter@aol.com
Paul Foreman -- paul.r.foreman@googlemail.com Chris Osmond -- seafarer@ntlworld.com
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ADVANCED BOOKING / RESERVATION FEE From June 2007 onwards the pilots decided that bookings that are more than 12 months away will require at lest a non-returnable £250 booking fee. This will be counted as part of the swim fee deposit for the swim you book but paid when you confirm you want to have a position reserved. Sorry but they have had to do this as so many swimmers are booking places years in advance then dropping out the last moment. (42 swims cancelled in 2006 - 43 in 2007 - 45 in 2008 - 40+ in 2009).
Places are at a premium and prime positions sought after years in advance. It is unfair to both the pilots and serious swimmers to book in advance and then decide not to swim - and then not tell the pilot of any change in circumstance. Please remember that the pilot will be loosing the balance of any swim fee if you cancel at a late date and you are liable for this balance according to the pilots contract you have signed. Make sure you are ready to committ before you sign the pilots contract and return it with the deposit. Deposits and fees paid are all NO RETURNABLE Please keep us and your pilot informed of any problems that may arise.
Once you have sorted out your pilot's deposit and contract you must contact the office so that they can add you to your pilots swim list. These lists are used to send out the CS&PF application and medical forms. They are sent out at the end of December in the year before your swim as the paperwork has to be completed in the year of the swim -- BEFORE THE 31st MAY --. The forms are updated yearly to keep in pace with new requirements and only the current forms for the year can be used. Old forms from prior years will not be accepted.
Reference the pilot contracts. READ BOTH THE PILOTS CONTRACT & THE CS&PF RULES BEFORE SIGNING All the pilots have slightly different systems for contract wording and payments. Some ask for a booking fee of £250 then the balance of the deposit by a set date depending on when you confirm you want to reserve the swim place. Check with your pilot as to their terms BEFORE you commit as the booking fees and deposits are all non- returnable if you cancel after payment. Some pilots send out the pilot contracts at the end of November when they know the expenses and have set the fees. Some send out the contracts as they receive the bookings and confirm the fees later.
You - the swimmer - have until the 31st December to confirm with the office that you have signed the pilots contract and return it with your deposit if you have booked prior to this date. The deposit confirms your booking and is the reference used by the office to send out the CS&PF application and medical forms. The pilot has the right to re-book the place if deposits and contracts are not completed and returned by 31st December. Bookings after the 1st January are completed as they are made.
We like the CS&PF forms back as soon as possible with the CS&PF fees. The CS&PF application form needs to be returned to us by the 1st MAY - this is at the latest date. The medical forms need to be with us at the latest by middle of May and all paperwok has to be completed and registered by the 1st JUNE. For your own peace of mind do it early so that you know where you stand. If it is not possible to meet these dates then you need to discuses alternatives with us in the office. In 2008 6 swims were cancelled because the paperwork was not completed - In 2009 7 swims were cancelled because the paperwork was not completed - This was even after extensive chasing, within the set time frames and the then extended periods and further chasing after the deadlines. The office decision is final in all these registration matters once the set dates have past.
The 6 hour swim for solo swimmers without ratified swim status can be done any time up from 18 months to 14 days before your swim tide. Try to do it well in advance - the prior season might be a good idea. You will then have all the winter to concentrate on improving and training. The 2 hour qualifying swim for relay team members is the same - 18 minths before to 14 days before your swim tide starts .
These qualifying swims are to make sure swimmers are aware of the challenge they are taking up and to give them a taste of what to expect. They are short swims compared to the actual crossing and should become a distance that is often exceeded while training. DO NOT treat them as a training target for a successful swim. These qualifying swims and the other swims we accept are part of the CS&PF "Duty of Care" and awareness programme. English Channel Swimming is an Extreme endurance Sport that can result in injury or even death. By telling us you have undergone the experience of completing a qualifying swim you are confirming you understand the risks involved and you accept the responsibility of assessing your abilities to make your attempt. Team leaders are undertaking this assessment for the relay swims they are organising. Please make sure everything is completed correctly and your assessments are rationalised and valid for the attempt you and / or your group are undertaking. All swims have to be ratified in writing and sent to the CS&PF by the swimmer and the person who has observed while the swim took place. PILOT BOOKING PRIORITY SYSTEM; IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE AVAIABLE FOR THE TIDAL PERIOD YOU HAVE CONTRACTED TO SWIM ON REGUARDLESS OF THE SWIM POSITION YOU ARE BOOKED IN. The usual system for booking priority is that pilots book 4 places per set of neap tides. These are in order of number 1 first then down to number 4. This is the order in which the swimmers are "OFFERED A CHANCE TO SWIM". The Swimmers abilities and wishes are all different and Channel swimming is very dependant on the weather so if the first swimmer in line is offered the chance to swim and says “No” the place will be offer to the next in line - and so on until someone accepts the offer or everyone has turned it down. On the next good swim day we start with the 1st in line again offering the swim to the remaining swimmers in their priority. This system means that the number 1 person can choose the day they want to swim on but if they decline to swim other swimmers get the option offered to them on that tide. CHECH WITH YOUR PILOT for conformation as to the method he will be using when you are booking and arranging your swim as they can vary.
PILOTS CONTACTS The pilots swim contract is made directly with the pilot you choose and is between you and the pilot. The pilots are financially independent and operate as businesses in their own rights. All the CS&PF pilots are qualified as required by the MCA to captain their vessels and they hold commercial endorsements on their qualifications. All the pilot vessels are commercially certificated as required by law. They are registered with the British and French Coastguard's annually by the CS&PF.
The full list of the CS&PF registration fees and swim fees are in the rules on this site – PLEASE READ THE RULES CAREFULLY --- CS&PF RULES link -- click here. Make sure you understand them. If in any doubt ask for clarification.
As an example of the CS&PF registration fees - The 2009 CS&PF application and registration fees for a 1- way swim ( solo or relay) are £100 administration - plus - £100 swim fee - plus - membership of your choice – (The minimum full membership is £15 for 2 years). For relays you need at least 1 full member in the team - £15. Other team members can then be associate or full members. Associate membership is £10 per person.
This made the total CS&PF fees for a --- Solo 1-way crossing in 2009£215 - Including a standard 2 year full membership .
The total CS&PF fees for a --- 1-way 6 person relay in 2009 are about £265 (The example is for 1 full member at £15 and 5 associate members at £10 each). The exact total depends on the memberships you and the team choose.
A Guide to the successful booking procedure
1. Select the year and tidal period you want to book.
Check with the pilots to see which pilots have places free.
Confirm the reservation with the pilot for the tidal period you want.
2. The pilot will then hold the position (if it is available) for a short period
and e-mail you the booking request.
3. AGREE TREMS and confirm your acceptance of the position offered .
4. The pilot will confirm the reservation and send you instructions and a
contract for the position.
5. Sign and return your pilots contract with your deposit or booking
fee to Finalise your booking.
5. Let the CS&PF office know you have everything sorted with the pilot
and your swim position is booked.
6. The pilot will also tell the office when the booking is finalised and
the contract and deposit has been received.
Note the deadline for paying the pilots deposits or any deposit balance is usually 31st December in the year before you swim. This is the deadline - earlier payment will give you peace of mind and conformation of your booking.
After the 1st January the pilots can re-book any places not confirmed with a signed contract and a full deposit. Should you cancel your place after you have confirmed and paid any fees these fees paid are non returnable.
Make sure you are definitely prepared to commit yourself to booking the place before finalising it. Please note the pilots deposits are non returnable and required to confirm the place bookings.
NOTE - When the office has conformation of your pilots booking we will then send you the CS&PF application and medical forms. These are sent out from the end of December in the year before you swim.
Both these forms must be completed in the year of your swim. (That's after 1st January) and before the deadlines below.
1st MAY for application - MID MAY for medicals. 31st MAY for everything to be completed. Ratified 6 and 2 hour swims latest is 14 days before your swim tide period starts.
If you have a problem with the deadlines talk to us - We can not guarantee to be able to solve your concerns but we will try. If we do not know of a problem we can not help. Applications and bookings made after the deadline can be processed by the office but only by arrangement and we can not guarantee they will be completed in time for the swim. Talk to the office before committing to a booking with the pilot if you are making a late reservation.
Please read the web sites - CS&PF rules - pilots escort contracts and the
CS&PF forms fully and understand them before completing and signing
them, they are binding and explain what you are committing to.
Please keep a copy of all your paperwork.
The main points are often repeated more than once above to try and make
sure you know exactly what you are contemplating and how the system
works.
Anything else we can help with , let us know.
Anything you need clarifying ask us as soon as possible.
We fit our CS&PF workload and replies around full time occupations.
We are volunteers not paid staff.
OFFICE
michael.oram@btinternet.com
The Hermitage Tele/fax ---- +441843852858
12 Vale Square Mobile ---- 07860812591
Ramsgate
Kent CT11 9BX
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