Nathan Boys solo of mind and body….Swim Stories from the
“support crew”
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| Finished... |
Big brother Reeven
had a goal to swim. Little brother Levy agreed to support and swim
too. Reeven is a professional triathlete with open water experience. Levy is a high school swimmer focused on his
long course season championship meet which completed just days before the
flight to England. Levy trained mostly
in a 50-meter pool and Reeven competed in open water in the Atlantic. But both were determined.
We arrived in
England to 5 days of waiting...with phone calls suggesting possible swims
followed by aborted trips due to weather. We met with the chief pilot
Michael Oram ... Who took a look at the boys and remarked..."you are way
too skinny for a trip...I’ve seen these skinny fast swimmers come and go. No bloody way you will have
success." We were unprepared and
demotivated.
Other professionals
around showed before and after photos...most had gained 20 percent of their
body
weight.... for fat and warmth. Reeven gained 6 pounds and levy was a
lean, mean long course swimmer.
This psyched everyone
out. We also we learned that our prep
in terms of food, food delivery and training was WAY SHORT. The boat and
pilot drive you...the swimmer is responsible for everything else.... nutrition,
delivery, motivation, towels, blankets, crew food, etc. But we had the compassion of Alimpiada
Cassidy. She sorted us out in terms of
feeding schedule and delivery. She gave
us critical support, optimism and a new vision for success.
Then the phone rang
again...Levy could swim at 8pm this same Sunday. This would likely be Levy’s only window as
the tide was ending and weather was changing.
But Levy stood firm...resolved to help Reeven realize a dream.
Fast forward:
16 hours to cross and feeding every 30 minutes had Levy prepping food, boiling
water on a ship burner and cheering on his brother. I got seasick 20
minutes out...and was of limited use. Thanks to Levy....
2 miles from
France, Reeven was literally asleep.... he has awake a full day and swam a full
night. What did Levy do? He jumped in to support his brother on the
last 2 miles into France. Rules for a certified swim are strict:
support cannot be in the water for longer than 1 hour and cannot lead the
competing swimmer from the front. Levy (un) dressed and jumped.
competing swimmer from the front. Levy (un) dressed and jumped.
Reeven was
completely out of it...swimming in different directions away from the
boat. He stopped at one point and stared at a shipping vessel...he
thought IT was France. He stopped and marveled a buoy.... thinking it
France. All the way..."swim Reeven...you are doing great. I
will get you there."
Levy emotionally
pushed Reeven to the beach in France....victory. Reeven was dreaming...he
was literally asleep...and now had to return to the boat...again Levy was able
to negotiate with Reeven....he was not to climb the beach to "go
home." He could not enter the home above the bluffs.... he had to
return to the boat. Levy was the support....
Reeven succeeded in
his goal to swim the Channel. And Levy
was a critical part of this mission. The return boat ride to England was
ruff. The seas turned choppy and our return ride took twice as long as usual.
And this weather will continue through the tide...meaning Levy will not have an
opportunity to swim. Cancelled or delayed swims are quite common...but
people sacrificing spots so others can swim....and going to support them...are
not common at all. Reeven and Levy Nathan are the heroes of this story.
Pudding and
Porridge may fuel the body and sustained Reeven on his swim to France. But there is no substitute for the helping
mind and body of a younger brother. Levy swam to France too...he crossed
the Channel...albeit not in the traditional fashion of a solo swim.
And along the
way...they raised nearly 15k for Keshet…..a school for disabled children.
I am in awe of
Reeven's physical and mental toughness....and equally so with Levy's kind heart
and selfless love.
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