Place of Birth: Dublin
Current City: Dublin

Swimming Biography

Colm started swimming competitively in 1980 and continued to swim, competiting at the national and international level until 1992. After a gap of seven years he returned to swimming as a means of keeping fit. He was bitten by the sea swimming bug in a big way after the Cleggan to Inishbofin swim in 2001 and decided to train for an attempt on the English Channel.

Swimmer's Report – English Channel
Direction: England to France

I completed the English Channel on the 19th July 2002 in a time of 11 hours and 42 minutes.

It was a gruelling swim both physically and mentally. However, I had trained solidly for 12 months and was ready for the challenge. After four hours, my shoulders were sore and it seemed at times I was making no headway, as one cannot swim in a straight line due to tides and currents.

My support crew was at hand helping me with my feedings and giving me constant encouragement.

Finally, I made it across but the emotions were running high. In fact, as much as I was glad it was over, I was suprisingly upset after all the training, the buildup, the anticipation of the event and the swim itself, that it was actually over.

Once back in Dover, I got over that quickly enough abut began to think about my next swimming challenge.