THE Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club launched its sea-swimming season in memorable fashion after local endurance swimmer Phil Gaudin completed the earliest Jersey-to-France crossing on record last Saturday.
Gaudin set off from La Coupe in near-perfect conditions aboard the club support vessel Sea Swimmer, piloted by Guy Pipon, as he continued preparations for an English Channel attempt next month.
The experienced open-water swimmer, who previously completed a Jersey-to-France crossing in 2023 and a Round Jersey swim last year, reached the French coastline in an impressive 6hr 56min.
Joining Pipon on the support crew were observer Jenny Fitzgerald and Luke Edmonds, with the crossing made even more remarkable by an unexpected encounter with a pod of dolphins early in the swim.
“It was surreal and humbling,” said Gaudin.
“I could hear their chatter all around but could not see them to start with, then I could feel the power from their tails and sound from their blowholes before seeing them glide in front and to the side of me. I was watching them watching me.”
Gaudin also had to contend with large numbers of jellyfish during the crossing.
“There is an algal bloom with the warmer seas that is bringing the phytoplankton making the sea greener, in turn bringing copious amounts of blue jellyfish,” he said. “Seems like an ominous sign of climate change.”
The final stages of the swim proved especially demanding as he battled fatigue and strong drift close to shore.
“I was worried my legs wouldn’t work as I had kicked hard for the last 30 minutes darting in and out of more jellyfish,” he added.
“I saw Luke jump in with ten minutes to go and then kicked on. The harder I swam the more left I drifted up the beach, making the swim longer.”
After landing in France, Gaudin paid tribute to his support crew and family for helping him through months of preparation.
He thanked Luke, Jenny and Guy, saying the crossing would not have been possible without them, while also expressing gratitude to those who had helped with advice and nutrition throughout the past year.
Special thanks also went to his family — Rachel, Lola and Logan — for supporting him through an intense training programme.
The JLDSC has now completed its first month of sea swimming for the season, with weekly sessions continuing throughout the summer for both newcomers and experienced swimmers.
