News

American Channel swimming record holder, Peter Jurzynski from Connecticut will be back in Folkestone for his regular Christmas sojourn in his adopted town.

You would be forgiven for asking why the now retired English Channel swimmer Jurzynski, who still holds the US record for the most successful Channel swims, returns to Folkestone twice a year.

Most channel swimmers visit Folkestone or Dover for the week or ten days while awaiting their attempt and many are known worldwide, though very few are known in Folkestone, except Peter.

He said: "My channel swimming was an avenue to get to know the people and local customs of Folkestone and the area.

"Since my first visit in 1985, I fell in love with Folkestone.

"My long stays in the town have far more to do with appreciating the people and culture of East Kent than Channel swims."

"While many Channel swimmers basked in the international sports media or internet sites I preferred the Hawkinge Gazette or the local paper in Bleriot-Plage, France where I also trained," Peter said.

"I have learned a great deal from Folkestone and my life is richer from the experience."

Peter has done a variety of things in Folkestone from helping former Folkestone Mayor John Stockham in his election campaign to judging sandcastles on Sunny Sands and attending the opening of art exhibits in The Old High Street.

Jurzynski said: "The lessons that I learned from Channel swims can be applied to other sports.

"Sport should be a vehicle to reach out and get to know people better and I hope in a small I served as a goodwill ambassador."

Peter will be arriving in Folkestone on 15 December 2011.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©