THE Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club (JLDSC) is a real family affair for the Dochertys, with Scott, Jenny, and their children Eleanor (13) and Rory (11) swimming together with the club for the last five years.
Inspired by swimmers who have completed the swim before him, Scott decided that 2023 was his year to make the crossing between Jersey and France.
However, the weather derailed his plans, and the swim had to be put on ice.
The postponement highlighted the reality of these challenges, in that all the elements must align to ensure swimmers have the best chance of completing their goals.
For Scott, this meant that his weather window rolled into 2024.
Finally, on Wednesday 28 August, the conditions presented him with the opportunity to complete the challenging swim.
Scott’s swimming background began at the tender age of four at a club, before branching into the sport of water polo at 12.
When asked why Jersey to France, Scott’s understated response was: “It sounded like a good challenge.”
Having put in the training in 2023 ahead of the original planned dates, he kept up enough throughout 2024 in the lead-up to his swim to ensure he had what it took to make the crossing.
Over the course of the swim, which Scott completed in 8 hours 45 minutes, he shared intimate moments with compass jellyfish which, in his words, “enjoyed nothing more than giving the odd sting here and there.
“The moon and the barrel jellies were a lot more friendly.”
He also endured some sea sickness towards the end of the swim as he struggled with taking on board the required nutrition.
Feeds were passed to him from friends Colin Smith and Darren Osmand onboard, who were at hand to share in the spirit of all that happened along the way, wearing smiles on their faces and motivating Scott to go all the way.
They also encountered a visit from a pod of dolphins, to which Scott remarked it was “a privilege to be able to hear their calls” while he swam.
Hitting the shores of France was a relief for Scott, who extended his thanks to the club for their support, with special thanks going to Guy Pipon, the pilot who navigated him safely to France, and Graeme Lowe, the observer.
They are an integral part of what makes these swims so successful, with swimmers putting their trust in their knowledge of the best route across the sea.
Speaking of what comes next, Scott said: “I would love to do a round-Island relay swim with my wife and children and a freshwater swim.” To which the club looks forward to helping them plan.
The JLDSC is a hub eager to share their experiences with all wanting to enjoy all the sea swimming in Jersey has to offer, from remarkable challenges to making the first steps to enjoying sea swimming with friends.
More details on the club can be found via jerseyseaswims.org.
