Main’s 'Everest'
LORRAINE adventure swimmer Kyle Main leaves for London on June 26 for his third attempt to become the fastest African to cross the English Channel from Dover to Calais.
Main, 29, who is hoping to better the eight hours, 58 minutes set by Barend Nortjie of Cape Town, made the trip to London twice but had to return without setting having set foot in the water.
If he does get into the water this time Main aims to complete the 36km "Everest” of endurance swims in eight hours, 30 minutes.
If he is successful, Main will not only set the fastest time for an African but post a top 10 time in the history of the channel crossing, in only his first attempt.
The marathon swimmer’s first attempt in 2010 was marred by a technical hitch and his second last year was abandoned due to a storm that ravaged the coast over his designated crossing period window.
Now Main, who has maintained a rigorous training schedule, is hoping that it will be a case of third time lucky.
"My training has been going fine,” he said.
"The last 11 weeks have been hard and I had to move some of my cold water training to an outdoor pool as the channel has been around 13°C.”
The chilly waters will be one of the challenges he will face, along with unpredictable weather, jelly-fish, passing ships and pollution.
But it is a challenge he has accepted and he is ready to face the daunting task.
"Once I am there I will be getting into a routine with swims in the harbour and doing last minute tweaks with my nutrition. My first priority will be to finish the swim,” said Main.
Main, who has completed about 30 marathon swims, will be joined by his wife, Carey and their 18-month-old daughter, Tayla.