Barry is a kind of a legend in long distance swimming for being one of the best of observers and was the observer on my first Robben Island swim. And for that I am eternally grateful.
When Barry tells the story of my first swim its goes like this.
" I had received a call asking me to be an observer for a girl who wanted to do a Robben Island swim. I was very surprised when I saw Lydia walking towards the boat as no-one had mentioned that the swimmer was a quite seriously disabled girl. My first thought was: "Holy smoke, is this the swimmer? She's not going to make it" I had based my assumptions on seeing so many strong able-bodied swimmers get out of the water half way across the bay. Its a tough, cold swim. And I have seen many different kind of swimmers can come and go in my over 20 years of observing.
30 minutes after starting the swim. Lydia stopped to feed, only to discover that she could not tread walk to take in fluids from her juice bottle. She would just spin in circles, chasing her bottle. This made my doubts even stronger. Second feed, the same, Third feed, the same. At one and a half hours, Lydia threw up - "fed the fish" - as we say. I looked at Peter Bales, (piloting the boat) Chairman of the CLDSA, the first South African to swim the English Channel, and a silent message passed between us without saying a word. We'd seen this scene many, many times before. Short day at the office - she'll be out of the water in 20 minutes.
6 hours and 4 minutes later, Lydia proved me wrong and completed her swim."
About three months after my first swim, I meet Barry at the pool and listed all the swims I wanted to do. All Barry could say was "Whoa girl, one swim at a time." Barry had serious doubts I would ever overcome the obstacles such as my feeding problem or improve on my time to tackle bigger challenges.
Barry has become like a proud granddad to me. Since my first swim Barry has worn two hats, observer and second, and accompanied me on my first English Channel attempt. Barry believed in me, with big doubts I am sure, but he has always been prepared to give me a chance and support me in my adventures.
I have a message from Barry after my first aborted English Channel attempt which reads:
"It's been a long journey with more rewards than I could ever imagine! Never give up, just rest a while and then rise & fight again."
With words of encouragement like that I would feel so guilty to let this wonderful gift of Love go to waste.
Thank you Barry for all your love and support.
Anton Fourie
Anton came on board as my second for my English Channel 2007 attempt. And the timing could not have been more perfect.Anton changed the way in which I was doing things. Anton figured out a way to improve my feeding system, changed it to a camel pack which delivers my feeds via a 5m tube from the boat and leaves my hands free to tread water. This reduces the times of my feeding to that of an able-bodied swimmer who can tread water and drink from a juice bottle.
I would not have this story to tell were it not for his support and guidance.
Anton says of the Channel attempt:
"I felt this was an absolutely amazing superhuman effort, because people don't realize that when you do a Comrades Marathan for instance, you have a set date to start. With the Channel it's an emotional rollercoaster as you're waiting for a day when the conditions are right to swim. The weather was terrible all time, and it was hectic, and we went on the spring tide. It's very different to other athletics events even for an able-bodied person.There are so many variables and factors involved. You need to get your nutrition right. A lot of swimmers don't get to swim as they wait for favourable conditions. The weather is one of the biggest factors. Also there's a lot of chop on the water and because the English Channel is an international shipping lane there is a lot of traffic.
