Latest news with #ChannelSwimmingAssociation
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saskatoon woman completes swim across English Channel
Saskatoon native Airen Bowers describes herself as "half woman, half fish." That nickname was put to the test this past weekend when she swam more than 30 kilometres across the English Channel. The swim, which took more than 16 hours, was Bowers's second attempt. She originally planned to do it in September 2024, but cancelled due to bad weather. "I was just really happy and relieved and proud and, yeah, grateful for all my support folks who are on my boat," she said of arriving on the French shore. "It was a really, really epic moment." According to the Channel Swimming Association, which tracks and authenticates channel swims, the shortest distance between the two coasts is just under 33 kilometres. However, due to the movement of the tides, many participants end up swimming much further. Bowers said she swam somewhere between 40 and 50 kilometres by the time she was finished. At the time, the water was 16 C. "I was swimming on a bigger tide than I expected," she said. "That final tide was really hard to push through. I was sort of swimming in place for almost two hours where I was hardly moving at all, just trying to keep my stroke rate up, just trying to keep my arms moving. "It was pretty exciting. I was surprised I was able to walk out of the water at the end, but somehow your body just takes over and you know what to do." Bowers said she had three-fold motivation for the swim. She turned 50 in September 2025, which was also the anniversary of her father passing away in 2019. She also fund raised for Canadian Tire's Jumpstart charity, which provides funds for children to play sports. Bowers has been a long-distance swimmer her entire life and considers the channel swim to be the most iconic in the sport. "The English Channel just seems to hold a mystery," she said. "It's that body of water where so much history happened. And it doesn't look like it's that far to swim, but it really is a bit of a beast."
New Indian Express
29-06-2025
- Sport
- New Indian Express
It's only willpower: Ganesh's remarkable swim feats
RAJAMAHENDRAVARAM: Ganesh Balaga, a 37-year-old para swimmer from Donkalapartha village in Burja Mandal, Srikakulam district, has proved that determination and resilience can defy even the harshest odds. Despite being stricken by polio in his right leg, Ganesh has achieved national and international acclaim in para swimming, setting records in both the English Channel and Palk Strait. Currently serving as a swimming coach under the Eluru District Sports Authority, Ganesh has won 10 national-level medals and set multiple records in para swimming. His journey began in a village pond, where he first started swimming to escape life's difficulties. Encouraged by his friends, he began participating in competitions, gradually moving from the district to the national level. At the 12th Para Swimming National Championships held in Chennai, he clinched a gold medal in the 200-metre event, a silver in the 100-metre butterfly, and a bronze in the backstroke. He has also won medals at national meets held in Bengaluru in 2013 and 2014. Ganesh has become the first para swimmer from the Telugu States to set a record in swimming both the English Channel and the Palk Strait. On June 16, he completed the 34-km English Channel relay between England and France as part of the six-member Pride of India A team. He swam his stretch in 13 hours and 37 minutes, a feat documented by the Channel Swimming Association. On April 18, he crossed the 28-kmthe Palk Strait from Sri Lanka to India in 10 hours and 30 minutes. 'There are no shortcuts, no excuses — only sheer willpower and waves,' Ganesh told TNIE. 'I faced many challenges in life, but the cities of Vijayawada and Eluru enhanced my resolve.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pair plan marathon to support friend with cancer
Two friends of a woman who has an aggressive form of breast cancer are running a marathon distance along the Dorset coast - on the day of the London Marathon - in support of her and other cancer patients. Jane Austin, 58, and Judith Baker, 57, plan to run the 26.2-mile distance from Lulworth to Portland Bill, in support of their friend Win Wood and to raise money for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF). Coinciding with the start of the London Marathon on Sunday, they will leave from Dagger's Gate in West Lulworth at about 09:30 BST. Ms Woods said seeing her friends taking on the challenge made her "very emotional". The retired railway clerical officer had to undergo an operation just days after her 67th birthday. It revealed that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in her right arm and a second operation was needed to remove all her lymph nodes. Ms Austin said her friend had been "incredibly brave and positive" during the treatment. "Judith and I decided we wanted to do something to show her how much we love and admire her," she added. The pair have taken part of many sporting events over the years, including the London Marathon and the Channel Swimming Association's Fastest Female Relay. Ms Baker said that although the marathon would be tough, "that's nothing compared to what Win and other people with cancer go through". The duo have "jokingly" nicknamed themselves The Trotting Tits. Ms Wood said was "thrilled" to learn about her friends' plans and suggested they fundraise for DCCF, which supports families with financial struggles because of cancer. "It makes me very emotional to see what my dear friends are doing in my honour," she said. "They are both extraordinary women, and I have no doubt they will conquer this marathon as they do everything else - with a great deal of personal strength and humour." The pair have also raised more than £600 through an online crowdfunding campaign. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Friends take on seven marathons in seven days Marathon runner's dad steps in after son taken ill Charity pays mortgage for cancer-hit family The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Pair plan Dorset marathon to support friend with cancer
Two friends of a woman who has an aggressive form of breast cancer are running a marathon distance along the Dorset coast - on the day of the London Marathon - in support of her and other cancer Austin, 58, and Judith Baker, 57, plan to run the 26.2-mile distance from Lulworth to Portland Bill, in support of their friend Win Wood and to raise money for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).Coinciding with the start of the London Marathon on Sunday, they will leave from Dagger's Gate in West Lulworth at about 09:30 BST. Ms Woods said seeing her friends taking on the challenge made her "very emotional". The retired railway clerical officer had to undergo an operation just days after her 67th revealed that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in her right arm and a second operation was needed to remove all her lymph Austin said her friend had been "incredibly brave and positive" during the treatment."Judith and I decided we wanted to do something to show her how much we love and admire her," she pair have taken part of many sporting events over the years, including the London Marathon and the Channel Swimming Association's Fastest Female Baker said that although the marathon would be tough, "that's nothing compared to what Win and other people with cancer go through".The duo have "jokingly" nicknamed themselves The Trotting Tits. 'Dear friends' Ms Wood said was "thrilled" to learn about her friends' plans and suggested they fundraise for DCCF, which supports families with financial struggles because of cancer."It makes me very emotional to see what my dear friends are doing in my honour," she said. "They are both extraordinary women, and I have no doubt they will conquer this marathon as they do everything else - with a great deal of personal strength and humour."The pair have also raised more than £600 through an online crowdfunding campaign. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pair plan marathon to support friend with cancer
Two friends of a woman who has an aggressive form of breast cancer are running a marathon distance along the Dorset coast - on the day of the London Marathon - in support of her and other cancer patients. Jane Austin, 58, and Judith Baker, 57, plan to run the 26.2-mile distance from Lulworth to Portland Bill, in support of their friend Win Wood and to raise money for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF). Coinciding with the start of the London Marathon on Sunday, they will leave from Dagger's Gate in West Lulworth at about 09:30 BST. Ms Woods said seeing her friends taking on the challenge made her "very emotional". The retired railway clerical officer had to undergo an operation just days after her 67th birthday. It revealed that the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes in her right arm and a second operation was needed to remove all her lymph nodes. Ms Austin said her friend had been "incredibly brave and positive" during the treatment. "Judith and I decided we wanted to do something to show her how much we love and admire her," she added. The pair have taken part of many sporting events over the years, including the London Marathon and the Channel Swimming Association's Fastest Female Relay. Ms Baker said that although the marathon would be tough, "that's nothing compared to what Win and other people with cancer go through". The duo have "jokingly" nicknamed themselves The Trotting Tits. Ms Wood said was "thrilled" to learn about her friends' plans and suggested they fundraise for DCCF, which supports families with financial struggles because of cancer. "It makes me very emotional to see what my dear friends are doing in my honour," she said. "They are both extraordinary women, and I have no doubt they will conquer this marathon as they do everything else - with a great deal of personal strength and humour." The pair have also raised more than £600 through an online crowdfunding campaign. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Friends take on seven marathons in seven days Marathon runner's dad steps in after son taken ill Charity pays mortgage for cancer-hit family The Dorset Cancer Care Foundation
