Nikki Pope’s Greatest Feat Of Endurance
Courtesy of the Channel Swimming Association, English Channel.
Among the hundreds of swimmers who swim across the English Channel every year, everyone has obstacles to overcome and an incredible story to tell.
In the 2019 season, Nikki Pope‘s one-way 18 hour 22 minute battle from England to France was selected as the summer’s Greatest Feat of Endurance by the Channel Swimming Association.
Pope told her story online in hope of raising money.
“My nephew Zach is one of the brightest kids I know. He has a great sense of humour, loves jokes (especially his own), loves swimming, is a good dancer, is a whiz on computers and maths and yet every day is a struggle for him and his family because he is autistic. Zach is one of 1.4 million people in the UK with a learning disability. Fortunately he and his family are supported in his lifelong challenge by Mencap, the leading voice of learning disability.
Zach has inspired me to my biggest challenge ever.
My preparation began in earnest with my first Ice Mile Swim in 2018 – same attire as above. The water was 3.5°C and the air temperature was 1.8°C. After 3/4 of a mile I was so frozen I could not function properly and started to sink. I decided to swim for a count of 10 to get myself back in the swim. I got to 7 then stopped. I didn’t want to fail so I started again. I got to a count of 5.
No good – nothing left in the tank. Somehow I started again. I got to a count of 3…there seemed no way I could get to the finish until I simplified the task. I counted 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 until the finish – and bagged a UK record for the most extreme ice mile and realized I had the determination to complete the English Channel.”
Her determination was clear.
Her net result?
She achieved her Channel swimming goal and raised £11,356 along the way.
Other 2019 Channel Swimming Association Award recipients include the following athletes:
BLDSA Swimmer of the Year: Kathryn Perry (12 hour 11 minute crossing)
CSA Observer of the Year: Keith Oiller
CSA Special Award: Oleg Ivanenko (17 hour 50 minute crossing)
CSA Special Award: Lavington Channel Chargers with Matthew Byford, Rebecca Hobbs, Benjamin Jones, Mollie Sutton, William Woodward, Harriet Woodward in 13 hours 8 minutes
Earliest / Latest Swim: Georgia Hall (11 hour 49 minute crossing)
Fastest 2 Way Swim: Brianna Thompson (22 hour 37 minute crossing)
Fastest American Swim: Brent Willess (10 hour 41 minute crossing)
Fastest British Lady: Georgia Hall (11 hour 49 minute crossing)
Fastest Junior Relay Team: Lavington Challengers Take 2 (12 hour 40 minute crossing)
Fastest Ladies Relay Team: Six Pleiades Team (13 hour 57 minute crossing)
Fastest Ladies Relay Team (not 6 Swimmers): Crazy Crawlers (12 hour 10 minute crossing)
Fastest Men’s Relay Team (not 6 Swimmers): Ocean Revival 2020 (15 hour 3 minute crossing)
Fastest Mixed Relay Team: ROMANIA 2019 (10 hour 25 minute crossing)
Fastest Mixed Relay Team (not 6 Swimmers): Brucey’s Squad (10 hour 8 minute crossing)
Fastest Relay Team: ROMANIA 2019 (10 hour 25 minute crossing)
Fastest Solo Swim: Chloë McCardel (10 hour 4 minute crossing)
Fastest Swim by a British Person: Alexander Begg (11 hour 0 minute crossing)
Fastest Swim by a Lady: Chloë McCardel (10 hour 4 minute crossing)
Fastest Swim by a Man: William Slinn (10 hour 21 minute crossing)
Fastest Swim on the Highest Tide: Chloë McCardel (11 hour 37 minute crossing)
Female Pioneer Swim: Anel Sytdykova (15 hour 15 minute crossing)
Greatest Contribution to the CSA: Peter May
Greatest Feat of Endurance: Nikki Pope (18 hour 22 minute crossing)
Greatest Feat of Endurance by a Ladies Relay Team: North Norfolk Crawlers Sister Act (12 hour 27 minute crossing)
King of the Channel® – Most Swims by a Man: Michael Read
Most Meritorious Swim: Rick Seirer (29 hour 46 minute two-way crossing)
Oldest Successful Swimmer: Peter Tucker (15 hour 38 minute crossing)
Queen of the Channel® – Most Swims by a Lady: Alison Streeter
Special Award to a Disabled Swimmer: Markéta Pechová (12 hour 31 minute crossing)
Swim in the most Arduous Conditions: Georgia Hall (11 hour 49 minute crossing)
Swimmer from a New Country: Val Kalmikovs (11 hour 13 minute crossing)
Swimmer from a New Country: Anel Sytdykova (15 hour 15 minute crossing)
Youngest Relay Team: Lavington Challengers Take 2 (12 hour 40 minute crossing)
Youngest Successful Swimmer: Brianna Thompson (22 hour 37 minute crossing)
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