Great North Swim organiser Colin Hill swims English Channel

Oct 2 2009 by Kim Carmichael, The Journal

HE SPENT 10 and a half hours locked in a gruelling physical and mental challenge to swim the 21 miles across the English Channel to France.

And now, after battling the elements to successfully complete his task, Great North Swim organiser Colin Hill can certainly say he practices what he preaches.

The father-of-four, from Fourstones, Hexham, Northumberland, who works for Nova International, the organisation responsible for the open-air swimming event, formed in 2008 following the success of the Great North Run, was thrilled to make it to France in just 10 hours and 30 minutes.

Colin, 39, who lives with wife Nancy and children Indus, 11, Zachary, eight, Zoe three, and Lola, eight months, said: “I started at 3.50 am on Monday morning at Shakespeare Beach in Dover. You head off into the dark, cold sea and it’s quite a daunting task.

“The support boat has a spotlight shining into the water, but that’s all. You have no idea at all how you’re doing when you’re out there.

“My time was 10 hours, 30 minutes. I beat comedian David Walliams, who did the swim for Sport Relief in 2006, by four minutes.

“It’s such a long journey. You’re not allowed to touch the boat at any time. But they throw you a drink on a rope every hour.

“When I got to the end, I felt so emotional. It’s such a relief. I felt sheer exuberance.”