On August 28, 2004 Dave successfully crossed the English Channel in 13 hours and 9 minutes.

Read the article about Dave's swim in the Carelton Voice.

Some facts about channel swimming:
• More people have successfully climbed Mt. Everest than have crossed the Channel swimming.
• Water temperatures vary between 57' and 65' F. I have chosen my window for water in the 61'-65' range but cooler air temperatures. 
• Swimmers may not stop, hang on their boat, or continue swimming if their pilot stops them for safety concerns.
• There are no swimming aids, skull caps, or wetsuits allowed. Swimmers may grease up before the swim, but male swimmers can't even use a "jammer" swimsuit (but they can use a women's suit)
• Preparation requires a long qualifying swim, many months of massive yardage (40,000-60,000 per week), and a little bit of craziness.
• Oh- it's not cheap either.
• Swimmers must have their passports in the boat and are usually only allowed a brief (10 minute) stay on the opposite shore before going back on the boat.

Swimmers reserve a pilot and boat for several days (their "window"). This way, if the weather or tides are acting up, the swim is moved to another day. Windows are designed around the neap tides, where the difference in tides is not as extreme, so you don't get pushed around more than an extra 5-10 miles. Only certain pilots are certified to escort a channel swimmer, and this is pretty much what they do every day during the neap tides in June-early October. Only one swimmer can swim at a time (for each boat), and the pilot may completely change the route for the swim based on tides, shipping traffic, or weather patterns.

Cost of the swim:
Boat Hire- $2960
CSA fees- $603
Transportation (flight and train transfers)- $900
Room & board- $817 room, $250 board 
Crew fees- $1000
Misc supplies- $100

Approximate total-  $6630