News

Folkestone's number one fan, American Peter Jurzynski is back in town enjoying the British summer, meeting old friends and of course, training for another channel swim.

Peter said: "I began my dips into the channel on June 10th with a 20 minute swim , by June 17th I was up to one hour and 30 minutes.

"Although I do not have a specific date for the swim, it will be after 16 July and likely be much later in the summer.

"My pilot will once again will be Michael Oram of the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation," Peter continued, " this season after a lot of interval training in pools, including December training at the Folkestone Sports Centre I feel strong, fit and ready to go.

"Most importantly I am adjusting to the cold water well, by gradually increasing the time each day."

Peter has swum the channel 14 times more than any other American and first began channel swimming in 1985.

He admits that more importantly to him, he has grown to love the channel coastal area.

This June marks his 27th visit to Folkestone and recently he has been visiting at Christmas too.

Peter is now living in Connecticut and was a long time Boston resident. He turned 59 on June 7 and two years ago underwent heart surgery.

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2010