Swimming Everest
By TERRY TOMALIN, Times Outdoors Editor
Published September 9, 2004
The 21-mile crossing of the English Channel is the open-water peak
for challengers such as Clearwater Beach lifeguard Ron Collins. They
call it the Everest of open-water swimming. "It doesn't matter how
many times you have swam around Manhattan or across Tampa Bay," Clearwater
Beach lifeguard Ron Collins said a few days before he would attempt
to add his name to the record book. "When it comes to long-distance
swims, there is only one that matters and that is the English Channel."
MORE>>>
Sept. 5, 2004
English Channel Pictures
(click to enlarge)
Local swimmer takes on English Channel
By:Angela Jacobs
WTSP TV Channel 10
August 30, 2004
See Video
>>>
Clearwater, FL - Ron Collins has been swimming competitively for
31 years. Now, the Clearwater man plans to take on the English Channel.
RON COLLINS, Distance Swimmer: "I've been thinking about it so long,
it's finally here." As the hours pass on Clearwater Beach Patrol,
Ron Collins plans a career quest. SEE
VIDEO>>>
Monday, August 30, 2004, 9:01am Eastern Time
For Immediate Release
SOURCE: Distance Matters, Inc. Ron Collins Will Attempt To
Swim The English Channel
CLEARWATER, FL--Ron Collins, 42 of Clearwater, FL will attempt to
swim the English Channel in early September. Known as the "Mount
Everest of Swimming", the Channel is a frigid, wind-swept strait that
separates England and France. The shortest direct distance
across is from Dover, England to Cap Gris Nez, France(halfway between
Calais and Boulogne). The distance is 18.2 nautical miles which
is approximately 21 land miles.
Collins is a member of St.
Petersburg Masters Swim Team and has been swimming competitively
for 31 years. Past marathon swimming accomplishments include
successful swims of the 24 mile length of Tampa
Bay in 1998, and the 28 mile Swim
Around Manhattan, New York City in 2002. This is his
first attempt to swim the English Channel.
The exact date of the attempt will be determined by tides and weather
between September 5th and September 13th. Ron Collins is available
for media requests until he departs for England on September 2nd.
SOURCE: Distance Matters, Inc.
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or redistribution of Distance Matters, Inc. content is expressly prohibited
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