Feedings during Long Swims

18 days until Manhattan Island Swim.

71 days until tide opens for English Channel

A good day at the pool, 10,300 yards. My last practice for 2 weeks with a swimming partner, John is heading over to Tuscany, I can't wait to retire. I didn't take my Ibuprofen last night, the walls hurt my back more today, but got through the workout.

Feeding during Long Swims

All swimmers have their particular style to taking in nutrients during a long swim. Some use baskets, some use poles to transfer their food.

The swimmers crew is very important in this matter. They are the swimmers lifeline.

I prefer to tether a cup or a water bottle (no top) to a line. My crew leans over the boat and hands the bottle to me while I am treading water. The bottle opening is wide enough for a fast feed but it steady enough not to spill in the water, unless the conditions are rough.

It is important to take in as much of the feed as possible, it is your fuel.

I usually take 30-50 seconds for a feed, and that is not really very fast. Fast swimmers feed in less than 10 seconds, but that is another lesson that I will not be teaching.

Dream, Prepare, Succeed.