Channel Swim for MNDA | West Wickham Underwater Hockey Club

£20,380 Raised for MNDA

66,600m Target distance

1 Hour Time limit

3× Channel distance achieved

The Challenge

On 31 May 2018, West Wickham Underwater Hockey Club embarked on our biggest charity event yet: to collectively swim the distance of the English Channel and back underwater (66,600m) wearing standard UWH equipment (mask, snorkel and fins) whilst holding our breath all within just 1 hour.

This challenge was created in support of one of our founding members, Paul Cook, who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

We were delighted to raise £20,380 for MNDA, and swam the distance of the English Channel not twice, but three times.

Why We Did It

Paul started his UWH playing career at West Wickham in 1974, aged just 14. He captained our Elite team for 17 years, winning the National Championship three times and the European Club Championship once. Paul represented Great Britain at five World Championships, winning two Silver and two Bronze medals.

It was special to have Paul with us at our Christmas session and as anybody who knows Paul will tell you, he couldn't just watch. He was encouraging his two children Beth & Harry, and even got involved in the match and scored.

We're raising money for pioneering Stem Cell treatment for Paul, and for future research and support provided by the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

How It Was Measured

To keep the swim accurate and accountable

Lane Ropes

Lane ropes were used to measure and keep swimmers flowing smoothly and safely underwater across the length of the pool.

Dedicated Counters

Each swimmer had a dedicated counter/monitor to track lengths and confirm totals.

Widths to Metres

Distances were recorded in widths and converted into metres for the final results.

Team Groupings

Hat colours and team letters were tracked to keep the atmosphere competitive and fun.

After the hour was up, we celebrated the donation total together and held an award moment for the most metres swum, won by James.

Event Gallery

Moments from the pool and ceremony

Swimmers lined up at poolside ready for the charity swim event — Team Before

Multiple swimmers underwater during the Channel distance challenge — Team After

Counters and monitors tracking swimmer distances poolside — Lane Meaasure

Club members cheering on swimmers from the pool edge — Swimming

The full team gathered together at the event venue — Underwater

Award ceremony celebrating top swimmers and fundraising total — Ceremony

Paul Cook with the WWUWH team at the celebration — Most Metres

Our Sponsors

With thanks to our corporate supporters

Results

Individual Totals

Rank	Name	Widths	Metres
1	James Christen	173	3,460
2	Scott Allen	172	3,440
3	Maddy Hollick	170	3,400
4	Cameron Blackwell	140	2,800
5	Joezef	140	2,800
6	Karl Speed	138	2,760
7	Sam Watson	136.5	2,730
8	Christopher Alwin	134	2,680
9	Taz Joubert	134	2,680
10	Polly	130	2,600
11	Sebastian (WL)	128	2,560
12	Jess Berlyn	128	2,560
13	Jason Glass	126	2,520
14	Olivia Dawes	126	2,520
15	Jos Greenhalgh	126	2,520
16	Becs Henley	126	2,520
17	Aron Lindsay	124	2,480
18	Andrew Gray	122	2,440
19	Alan Underwood	120	2,400
20	Steve Baldwin	120	2,400
21	Ellie Russell	120	2,400
22	Alison Wheeler	118	2,360
23	Ben Talbot (SUWH)	116	2,320
24	Paul Pizzey	114.5	2,290
25	Sue Davies	112	2,240
26	Peter Hodge	108	2,160
27	Paul Allen	107	2,140
28	Mike Stokes	106	2,120
29	Adamina Carden	104	2,080
30	Kit Giroux	104	2,080
31	Matthea	102	2,040
32	Martin Gaynor	102	2,040
33	Maddy Talbot	100	2,000
34	Sophie S (Bristol)	97	1,940
35	Bethany Cook	90	1,800
36	Tony Mouriad	90	1,800
37	Lilli Speed (J)	88	1,760
38	Ivan Wood (J)	84	1,680
39	Gary Bunting	84	1,680
40	Esme Glass (J)	84	1,680
41	Paul Cole	82	1,640
42	Alan Quarterman	76	1,520
43	Paul Fowler	66	1,320
44	Joe Dyson (J)	58	1,160
45	Elise Wood (J)	54	1,080
46	Cookie	4	80
Grand Total		5,084	101,680

Hat Colour Totals

Hat Colour	Metres
Pink	25,680
Blue	25,140
White	24,730
Yellow	24,110
Grand Total	99,660

Team Totals

Team	Metres
A	13,100
B	10,280
C	10,120
D	9,460
E	9,460
F	8,200
G	8,160
H	8,960
I	7,880
J	7,600
K	6,520
Bristol	1,940
Grand Total	101,680

Thank You

To every swimmer, counter, supporter, organiser, sponsor, and friend of the club thank you. This challenge will always be one of the proudest examples of what West Wickham UWH can do when we come together.