Saturday was the Champion of Champions event down in Dover Harbour. For the uninitiated this consists of a 5mile swim, followed by a 3mile swim and the ending in a 1mile swim - just for good measure. In between each swim is a chance for the swimmers to wrap themselves up in as many layers as possible in the hope that they have enough time before the next swim to stop shaking and regain feeling back their feet/fingers/lips etc, consume as many cups of tea/coffee/hot chocolate they can manage without spilling (due to the shakes) and eat as much food as they can lay their hands on. All in all it's a very enjoyable day out.

This year there were 5 Otters amongst the 70+ entrants completing various combinations of the 3 swims: Katie Hope, Rob Deakin and I completed all 3. Sandy Wilson, another Otter channel hopeful, swam the 5 & 3 mile swims and Deirdre Ward made the trip down to Dover for the 3 & 1 mile swims.

Rob's day didn't start well when he locked himself out of his car just before the race. Luckily he had removed the all important swimming gear before doing so, and Rob's friend Marc, who had come to watch Rob in the build up to his duties as support crew on Rob's channel swim, seemed more than happy to be in charge of dealing with the AA rather than watching Rob swim. The AA man was rather bemused when he tried to get Rob's signature only to be told, "he's in the sea".

The 5 mile swim proved to be extra challenging as swimmers were forced to battle through some rough conditions as the winds picked up half way through the swim. Indeed there were many comments of "I just wasn't moving.." at the end of the race. The high winds also had a detrimental effect on the course as one of the course markers came loose and started heading out to sea. However, we the swimmers had no idea of this turn of events and obediently carried on heading for the wayward buoy, wondering why it never seemed to get any closer. Indeed Katie noted how she was nearly drowned by said buoy as she tried to navigate her way round it while it was moving away from her.

Thankfully by the 3 mile swim the course had been re-adjusted to its right length and was all the quicker for it. Deirdre proved that she has a great chance of making the Morgan Stanley team for the Endro Challenge later this year as she sped around the course. Obviously, she has recovered from her broken wrist earlier this year!

By the time the 9th and final mile of the day came round Sandy, wisely(?), decided that after completing the first 2 swims he preferred opt for a massage rather than get wet for the 3 rd time that day. And in true Otter style the last mile turned out to be a true head to head between Rob and I who both charged round the course to finish neck and neck, somehow managing to pull out a 20min mile at the end of a very long day!

Congratulations to all the Otters who competed. The conditions were tough and at the end of the day everyone was pleased to have survived. Special mentions have to go to Deirdre's boyfriend who greeted us with a smile and our shoes at the end of the races - much appreciated. And also to Simon Murie who, although not competing, was spotted give morale boosting chats to many of the swimmers during the day. 

Reporter: Katherine Mearman