Bad weather ruins Main’s Channel bid
MARATHON swimmer Kyle Main’s third attempt at crossing the English Channel and setting a new South African and African record ended in disappointment last week due unfavourable weather conditions.
Heavy rain and wind came between the Lorraine resident and his first successful crossing from Dover to Callais.
Main, 29, said it was not an easy thing to accept or understand.
"The irony is that I have gained so much experience with channel swimming, yet I have not even had a shot at it.”
His first attempt in 2010 was marred by a technical hitch and last year it was abandoned due to a storm that ravaged the coast over his designated crossing-period window.
He said one of the hardest things for swimmers and pilots to understand is the effect of weather conditions elsewhere in the English Channel.
While Dover is calm and sunny, there could be a gale approaching the South Coast or in the North Sea, explained Main.
"There is without doubt an element of luck involved in getting everything to fall right on the day.
"On the day you decide not to go and other swimmers might be out there succeeding.
"On the day you do go, the weather might change and the sea becomes rough. That is the Channel. That is the challenge.”
Main plans to attempt the swim again in 2014 during the most sort after tide, which is in the middle of August.
His next goal is to do the Manhattan Island swim next year and focus on finishing swimming the length of every river in the Eastern Cape that is 10km or longer. He has completed almost 70%.