Swampscott's Andy Jones Swims the English Channel

SWAMPSCOTT—Andy Jones climbed a mountain to swim the English Channel. The Swampscott resident had started planning the crossing almost two and a half years ago. But injuries almost cost him the opportunity.

Jones approached friend and fellow YMCA North Shore (YNS) Masters swim team member Tommy Gainer a little over two years ago to train with him to swim the Channel. Jones was recovering from a shoulder surgery, and wanted a goal for his recovery. Read Gainer's journey across the English Channel.

The two registered with the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF), one of two governing bodies for English Channel swimming., and booked their pilot, a person who in charge of ensuring their safety while boating alongside the swimmers. He told Patch, "It was some of the best training I've done in a long time. There was a clear goal, and somebody else to share that goal with. My wife was very supportive."

Jones, 45, had knee surgery in Spring of 2016, followed by a hip replacement surgery in October, and another emergency surgery after the hip replacement initially failed. Ten months out, he said, "I felt demoralized. I had to quite a mountain to get through to swim. I had quite an emotional roller coaster." Jones was not able to train again until February, and was finally certain he would be able to make the swim three months ago in May.

The two men trained at the YMCA, "using the work outs that the new head coach was generating for the sharks—they work superbly well." Jones said. Jones said, "Tommy had done a couple of impressive open water swims, including the Boston Light Swim. I was jealous." The two have friendly competition in their swim escapades. "Whenever Tommy does a swim, it's clear water. When Andy does these swims, it's cloudy. With rain," he explained laughing.

Jones went to the Mediterranean in April to train at a long-distance training camp. The training includes a six-hour swim in water that was 60 degrees Fahrenheit or less. This is needed to qualify for the English Channel swim. He explained, "Unless you've done a qualifying swim, you won't be able to swim the Channel, and you are qualified by an affiliated observer. Swim Track did the qualification for me."

Jones plunged into the waters off of Samphire Hoe beach near Dover, England two minutes after midnight on the morning of Aug. 8. It wasn't long before jellyfish stung him. He told Patch, the first two hours were horrendous. It's pitch black, night time, cloudy, no moon. Within ten minutes, I got hit by two jellyfish, badly, on my chest, right side, and right elbow. I kept thinking "I have 12 hours of this, and I'm in so much pain."'

But onward he went. Jones was fundraising for charities Cancer Research UK, and the YMCA. He's raised almost $8,000 for the former. His sons had done a presentation at their school about their dad, and he said, "I didn't want to let them down, and I needed to do this for myself. It's also hard on a young family because daddy isn't around. It's like a stick and a carrot." Jones would think about rewards for making it across. First came the steaming mug of "builders" tea, then the fish and chips, a curry, pint of beer and bacon sandwiches. He also wanted to get his hair cut as well, after growing it out to have insulation under his cap.

Off the coast of France, he put his arm through another jellyfish, but told Patch, "You just need to "keep swimming," like Dori says."'

From crewing for two other successful swimmers, Jones had a sense of where he was on the Channel. His swim time ended up being ten hours, 28 minutes—the fastest time in his association so far for the summer, and the third fastest time this year.

Was he excited to touch the boulders off of Cap Gris Nez? Jones said, "You're focused on not leaving all your DNA smeared all over the rocks and focused on keeping your balance. Officially you're supposed to clear the water. I did want to clear the water, so I was focused on exiting, and I fell over but the second time, I managed it." It wasn't until he was swimming back to the boat to meet his family that his feat was realized. "I had a private cry in my goggles." His extended family, father, and mother were all waiting back at the docks in England. "There was a big cheer," Jones said, "My father was in bits crying as was my mum."

Jones is thrilled about the community support back in Swampscott. He told Patch, "We had well wishes from neighbors, and a couple of local businesses. The hair salon Tommy's wife and my wife go to had a sign that says "Congratulations Tommy and Andy."' The two men have a Facebook page where you can read about their journey.

Photos courtesy of Andy Jones