If you ever wanted a book to widen your horizons of cold water swimming, then this certainly is a ‘must read’. Adam’s story, from toaster salesman to international swimmer, is truly inspirational and is surely proof that where there is a will there is a way.
Growing up Adam developed a real love of sport, but after some horrendous injuries he resigned himself to a ‘normal’ 9 to 5 existence and became a successful salesman. However, all that was to change after a chance viewing of the film On a Clear Day about a novice swimmer who decided to swim the Channel. Adam felt an affinity with this character and decided to also swim the Channel.
His first taste of cold water was not that successful; swimming 2,000 metres in a Nottingham lake at 9·7°C , finishing with mild hypothermia and a 45 minute hot shower to recover. Lessons learned, he then travelled to Dover for some training sessions with the stern but fair Freeda Streeter before a trial Channel Relay with new swimming friends in 2007.
For anyone thinking of attempting such a crossing this book does an excellent job of describing the time, training and dedication you’ll need. There are also some great practical tips too; e.g. discuss with your swim mates beforehand what food to take otherwise you’ll be stuck eating Pot Noodle and Jaffa Cakes all the way.
Relay completed, Adam now waited for his solo Channel crossing booked for July 2008. Like all his swims, this was accompanied by sea-sickness, but completed in 11hours 35 minutes, despite tidal problems and a ruptured bicep tendon.
By now he was truly bitten by the cold water swimming bug so planned his next swim across the straits of Gibralter, there and back, for June 2008. The crossing proved another wild adventure including encounters with dolphins and temperatures ranging from 21°C to 15°C.
It was after this swim that Adam discovered the Ocean’s Seven swims devised by Steve Munatones, a former USA open-water swim coach. These brought together the seven toughest ocean swims in the world, selected on the basis that they showcased a wide spectrum of conditions. The challenge was on.
The following years saw Adam take on the Molokai Straits, Catalina Channel, Tsugaru Straits, Cook Strait and the North Channel. During this time he encountered sharks, Portuguese Man ‘O War, Moon Jellyfish, Lion’s Main Jellyfish, more sea-sickness, ‘washing-machine’ waves and his hotel catching fire.
Portuguese Man ‘O War sting.
Adam eventually quit his salesman job and together with his girlfriend Gemma have set up OceanWalker which runs training camps teaching his energy conserving swimming technique.
His story is about sport in its truest form; rather than competitions between teams and individuals, it is about man against nature. As Adam writes at the end of the book “There are no barriers except the ones in your mind. Dream big and know you will make it!”
