Place of Birth: Dublin
Current City: Dublin
Swimming Biography
Ciaran started swimming at St Vincent's Swimming Club, where he competed regularly. He has completed the Irish Long Distance Championships in Lough Erne (17k) and Clew Bay (10k). He now swims in the Dublin sea swims.
Swimmer's Report – English Channel
Direction: England to France
Ciaran began his swim at Abbot's Cliff, Dover on the 18th July 2000 at 12:58am. It got off to a good start, with a calm sea and water temperature of 60 degrees F (15.5 degrees C) and air temperature 59 degrees F (15 degrees C). Despite suffering some back pain, Ciaran's stroke rate was 58 and he was swimming at a speed of 1.8 knots.
2.05am Ciaran suffered jellyfish stings to his wrist and shoulder.
5am Dawn breaks and Ciaran is still swimming well at 1.5 knots. An hour and a half later, he complains of very sore shoulders.
11.50am Stroke rate drops to 48, he is suffering extreme pain to arms, legs and back. He is 1.5 miles off Cape Gris Nez.
1.15pm Ciaran stops, he is in great pain with his right shoulder and is distressed. His hands have taken on a claw-like appearance. He feels he cannot continue but with great encouragement from the boat crew, he starts to swim again. His stroke rate increases from 48 to 52.
2.37pm Ciaran swims ashore to the beach at Strouanne. He is the first successful Channel swimmer of the new millenium. His time for the swim was 13 hours and 39 minutes.
|
