Jim Lafferty swims channel for Dentaid
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- Published: Wednesday, 16 September 2020 08:18
- Written by News Editor
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Jim Lafferty has successfully swum the English Channel from Dover to Calais in 11 hours and 53 minutes, to raise over £5,000 for Dentaid. From Sheffield this well-known dentist also works as a dentolegal consultant for Dental Protection. You can still sponsor his challenge by visiting:
www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JimLafferty2.
Jim has always been a very keen and strong swimmer, he has played water polo competitively all his life.
GDPUK was able to ask Jim a few questions: How did it come about? There is normally a 3 year queue - there are organisations with a limited number of boats that approve and ratify Channel swims. A friend of Jim’s had an attempt and failed, decided not to try again, so a slot became available. Previously, Jim had done a 5 person relay crossing to France, but had time to prepare for this slot, it took 11 months of training. Was due to be around 10th June, this was cancelled due to Covid. Overseas swimmers could not get to UK to do the crossing, so Jim was offered an unused slot in mid September.
Training? Almost no gym, the majority was swimming training. Jim had no coaching - self coached, tapped into support networks, particularly a Sheffield lady who swam the crossing 3 years ago. Jim picked her brains. More recently, a local lake re-opened [post lockdown] for open water swimming, with lifeguard and support, which also made training safer.
Diet before/during? Of course, short term carbohydrate loading in the 48 hours prior. During training and for the day itself, adding fat does help to keep warm
How many days to recover? A week for the muscles, hopefully will be pain free, and a full range of movement
Will you do it again? Probably not!! Mainly because all the training is very selfish - athletes need support and understanding.from theirr family, doing the same again would be too selfish!
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