Despite the overwhelming lure of the English Channel, regular American visitor to Folkestone, Peter Jurzynski has decided to remain in retirement.

Peter, who is about to turn 60, not only holds the record for most swims across the English Channel by an American, but holds another for the most consistent visits to Folkestone from the US. Twenty-nine and still counting.

Peter explained he trained in the channel from mid-June to 31 July off the coast of and Sandgate and Folkestone, but following his heart bypass operation he still has a problem with the cold water.

"This week I spoke with my pilot, Mike Oram, and decided that even with 6 hour practice swims in the channel in 2009/10, I still could not endure the cold for 17 or 18 hours.

"Ironically I acclimated slowly and properly, yet by the end of July I needed a long training swim but realised that even with a 6 or 7 hour swim in the channel, it would probably not help when it came to a 17 hour plus endeavour.

"I therefore I opted to stay in 'retirement'.

"I really love Folkestone and the Hawkinge area and will continue to spend a great deal of time here in the years to come," he said.

Peter continued: "It is in fact my other hometown, no doubt about it, I will continue to swim in the channel at Folkestone but I have no desire to coach or train in channel swimming."

I will move on to the beauties of swimming in the sea and the beautiful Folkestone and Hawkinge area"

All about Peter

- currently holds the record for most swims across the English channel by an American (14)

- underwent heart by-pass surgery in May 2008

- made two attempts in 2009 and 2010 which were unsuccessful

- first swim Aug 4 1987 - time if 12 hours 07 minutes

- last successful swim Aug 7 2007 16 hours 21 minutes (9 month prior to open heart surgery)

- 14 successful and 6 unsuccessful Channel crossings

- Peter lives in Connecticut and spends the summer and , of late, Christmas in Folkestone.

Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2011©