"CUTTING WATER" = ONE swim stroke. On June 30th, 1994, my life changed while cutting through the cool waters of the English Channel, a place that brings me peace. Swimming is such a wonderful, lifelong sport, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, no matter what level you may be. Dream, Prepare, Succeed. - Marcella MacDonald
Saturday, April 19, 2025
Thursday, June 6, 2024
It was not to be...
Dear friends and family,
I woke up today, Thursday, June 6, 2024 hungry and thankful.
While watching the D-Day remembrance ceremony on the BBC, I will reflect on the night's adventure.
It was a tough gig last night and I am fine.
Last night, the English channel gave me a workout that my body and mind could not withstand.
I wish I had a success story to tell you but I do not.
I knew this ATTEMPT was going to be one of my most difficult challenges, even when I thought up the Idea 💡 a year ago.
And I knew the factor of COLD was going to be the most uncomfortable ordeals to encounter and possibly burst my dream, and the Cold did just that.
Everything the English channel could Hit me with, IT DID. In that short 3 hours, I had to hand over the game to the channel gods and get out.
Those on the Gallivant, tried many of their tricks to keep me in. As I've said before, it is Team effort, the individuals on the escort boat keep me nourished, watch over me and guide my path through the water.
I know I was swimming well, but I also knew I was getting colder. My teeth began to chatter, my jaw clenching and my legs, well, just not responding to orders.
Thank you to my crew Janet and Jane Murphy and thank you to our pilots, Mike Oram and Dan Earthquake and our CS&PF observer Mike Ball.
You are wonderful friends and I trust my life with you all ... you all tried to get me to France.
As I said in an article that was just written about this attempt, "it's a curse to know what you will be going through."
I knew the Sea wasn't really going to settle down for a comfortable swim, we were tossed around last night, from the turn out of Dover Harbor as we motored out to our starting point, the beach of Samphire Hoe. I don't know what's worse, seeing the wave that's about to roll over you, in the daylight or being surprised by the crash in the darkness.
I knew, as the last rays of daylight disappeared over the cliff of Samphire Hoe around 10 pm, the lights were out for at least 6 hours.
I tried to play games in my head that over the Eastern horizon, the skies were brightening, but really, I knew that was the lights of Calais.
Daylight was still hours away, and it would take 8 more hours for me to possibly feel the warmth from the sun.
I tried to think and pray for All the WWII veterans who stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, 80 years ago. Usually my tricks work to distract my discomfort, but not last night.
If we take out one of the factors, Darkness, Bumpy Sea, or Cold conditions, maybe the results would have been different ... maybe, maybe not.
Thank you to all the generous donors to the DAV, Disabled American Veterans, we made our goal.
I'll finish with my sincere gratitude to brave servicemen and women during WWII and to all the veterans around the world, who have in the past and the future will fight for a FREE world.
Peace to you all.
--
Marcy
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
Monday, June 3, 2024
We are getting closer. The weather may have a small window of opportunity,
Wednesday, June 5 or Thursday, June 6. Fingers Crossed. This one of the most
frustrating events during the wait and planning of a any type of Open WATER
channel crossing, Mother Nature can not be contolled.
When we do go, you can
track our progress on the link below, look for Gallivant, our escort boat,
https://cspf.co.uk/tracking
...and we're getting close to the goal for the DAV,
Disabled American Veterans,
https://support.dav.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.personalCampaign&participantID=18808&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2GJUznxaVZQUMUWuNaDAkkGKdhZ59G2nYsx7fPbZ5JylfwJ1sTd9QLpig_aem_AVQfT-jhuburDTheSz6bbl3aZHcRqigOX-LR6486gScvgtNAA1TeZH14FOZ5TicxOKtBiwzCWT8vAD2beCoZvkzv
training www2
Please SEND calm thoughts to calm the WIND, it's been a TOUGH WAITING period.
On behalf of me and everyone who is affected by this charitable work, THANK YOU, thank you for your support!
Have a wonderful day,
Marcy
Sunday, June 2, 2024
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Channel 2024 day 1 and 2
Day 1 & 2
Travel is 'wonderful' there are SO Many different people and cultures just 6 hours away...
Words for the days
1... Exhausting
2. Velvety 'cold'
and friends
https://support.dav.org/.../Marcys-D-Day-English-Channel...
Thursday, May 23, 2024
History speaks...
As we approach our Memorial Day in the USA, Let us always remember those last witnesses of WWII and not forget what millions of men and women had to suffer through in order to leave us a better world.
Attached is a brief history of WWII.
I always learn some history with each trip to Britain, Janet and I look forward to our adventure, maybe the Ramsgate Tunnels next week.
Please consider a donation to the DAV, Disabled American Veterans.
https://support.dav.org/campaign/Marcys-D-Day-English-Channel-Crossing
D-Day Documentary, so important to remember and thank our veterans
https://youtu.be/nwwDIvvV-NM?si=M3e6QCOBqzi81I3w
This is such an informative documentary.
Let us be grateful to those who gave everything, including their lives for our liberty.
I thank all the veterans who have given us security for a free world.
You are my INSPIRATION for my English Channel 19th crossing attempt.
Please consider a donation to the DAV.. Disabled American Veterans
https://support.dav.org/.../Marcys-D-Day-English-Channel...
Thursday, May 16, 2024
D-Day swim, up and coming
Friday, April 5, 2024
Friday, November 24, 2023
Saturday, October 28, 2023
Friday, August 25, 2023
1 year BelgiumWaffleChannelSwimversary
Always so grateful for the team I swim with.
My 1 year BelgiumWaffleChannelSwimversary is today.
Without the Pilots, crew, Observers, our swims would Never be possible and safe.
Thank you again to my wife Janet, for putting up with me and this 'passion', Mike Oram, Mike Ball, Dan Earthquake, Amanda Maunders and Dave Bennie.
WE Did IT... Still Swimming for HOPE in the World, seems to be getting tougher to see.
Congratulations to all the swimmers, this year and years past, the English Channel remains the place to 'GO' and Challenge your skills, at least once, just as Captain Matthew Webb, did 149 years ago... August, 24, 1875.
Friday, July 28, 2023
Saturday, July 8, 2023
Swim for the Warriors and Angels
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