Shropshire's Ian postpones English Channel swim because of weather
Shropshire sports teacher Ian Preece will tomorrow begin his swim across the English Channel, following in the metaphorical footsteps of his hometown hero Captain Matthew Webb.
Ian, from Dawley, arrived in Folkestone last night and was due to set off from Dover this morning, but had to postpone due to choppy waters.
It is 141 years next month since Dawley-born Webb made history as the first man to swim the channel, and Ian said he had chosen to do the swim in tribute to him.
He is raising money for Telford Juniors Academy, which makes football accessible to disabled youngsters, and said he was already on course to double his target of raising £5,000 for the club. He said he was hoping to complete the swim to Calais in about 14 hours.
If he does manage to do it in that time, it will be substantially quicker than Captain Webb managed in August 1875. He completed the swim in 21 hours 45 minutes, but it was a much tougher feat back then.
"Captain Webb didn't have GPS, and I think he went off course a bit, and the waves kept pushing him back," said Ian.
"I am feeling a little nervous, but I have done all my training. I will be in the shipping lanes, so the important thing to begin with will be to keep away from all the traffic. I will just swim like mad until I'm out of the harbour."
Ian said prior to beginning his preparations for the feat last year, he was not actually a very good swimmer.
"I only did my 25 metres when I was at school," said Ian, who teaches at Telford College of Arts and Technology.
