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After a long experience in
the arrangement, organisation and escort of open water swimming
crossings (Strait of Gibraltar) and after sharing this
experience with many swimmers from all over the world,
we kindly request you to read
attentively the following advices in order to achieve a
successful and happy swimming crossing of the Strait of
Gibraltar.
Swim ming
crossing
of the Strait of Gibraltar is not one of the hardest of the
world nor the easiest, therefore, it is necessary to have a
minimum training and some experience in open water swimming
events. This is the reason why we advise swimmers who would like
to apply for a swimming crossing at the Strait of Gibraltar to
have a previous curriculum in open water swimming competitions
or to acquire it while the crossing date comes in order to have
the maximum knowledge of open water swimming (waves, wind and
currents) at the crossing date.
All the above is
essential when it comes to preparing the feeding and making
one’s way towards the correct course and in order to be able to
breathe from one side or the other depending on sea and wind
conditions. This previous knowledge will help you to choose the
most appropriate crossing (with o without neoprene wetsuits) and
to be aware of the most suitable grease protection. The fact of
sharing this experience with other swimmers or organisations
will probably facilitate the success of the Strait swimming
crossing.
There are other swimming crossings where speed is not a key
factor and which are even harder than those ones at the
Strait of Gibraltar. At the Strait of Gibraltar, speed is a
key factor to succeed. Although we avoid those hours of
maximum currents, we cannot avoid the existence of drifts
with certain intensity during crossings depending on the
tide coefficient of each day, consequently, we advise you to
maintain a speed of at least 3 km/h during several hours.
The following table is used as an example to show the
approximate crossing times which depend on speed and which
can vary depending on currents
|
SPEED |
CROSSING TIME |
|
|
|
2 Km./h |
almost imposible |
| 2,5 Km./h |
up than 6 hours |
| 3 Km./h |
4,5 to 5 hours |
| 3,5 Km./h |
4 hours |
| 4 Km./h |
3 to 3,5 hours |
|
up to 4km/h |
less than 3 hours |
As a result, we advise you to check speed continuously (time
records at open water and pools) so that ACNEG can have this
information available as real as possible and we also kindly ask
you not to apply for this crossing if you cannot get the minimum
speed and resistance requirements. In order to avoid swimmers
not correctly informing about their speeds, the members on board
of this Organization will pull out any swimmer who cannot comply
with the necessary minimum requirements to finish crossing
successfully.
If a swimmer is thinking about a round trip crossing, we advise
a single crossing during the first year and, once he is aware of
the Strait characteristics, we advice to think about the round
trip crossing for the next year. The round trip crossing is
not doubly difficult, but much more. The Organization will
accept a double crossing if the swimmer speed is higher than 4
km/h in order to carry out a first crossing in good time (not
more than 3,5 hours) and in order to face the second part with
total guarantees. However, two extra requirements must be
complied: good wind and sea conditions during all day and to
finish at Punta Cires or its environs during the first crossing
to have enough space so that the current drift do not separate
us from the other coast. Another option could be to start the
round trip crossing from Morocco coast but crossing would be
longer and we would have the risk to finish after sunlight and
then we would have to cancel crossing according to the Maritime
Spanish Authority requirements.
Our staff can advise swimmers about food and support techniques
at any moment but we request swimmers to come in accompanied by
a right-hand person who can make their crossing easier and can
also act as psychological help. They are the ones who should
come on board and we must avoid unnecessary people that could
cause additional problems in case of feeling seasick or unwell.
With
regard to swimming crossings carried out by a group of swimmers,
we insist again that they must go correctly coordinated and that
they have to maintain the same speed. They also have to train
together so as to be in group during crossing. For the good of
the rest of the group, the Organization will pull out any
swimmer (s) who put at risk the success of the crossing, and if
this decision were made, the swimmer (s) shall immediately come
on board and there shall be no argument about that.
Swimmers
frequently ask for advice about cold protection by using
different types of grease. We have to say that there is not any
magic formula for an ideal product, so if you have serious
doubts about your resistance to hypothermia, just use a
 neoprene
wetsuit. If you decide to do it in due form, we recommend the
typical mixture of Vaseline and lanoline (60%-40%) that you can
prepare by yourself or ask a pharmacy to prepare it. This
mixture is easy to rub but if you prefer something easier,
simply buy vaseline at an ironmonger’s (although it is much
difficult to apply) and directly apply it in big doses on the
most prone areas to reduce temperature (back, trunk, thighs and
arms).
When you start crossing
you will gradually loose grease and if this mixture is very
light you will do not have any in a few hours, therefore, it is
advisable that the mixture is made of a high
doses of Vaseline (it is much more consistent). Grease shall be
applied out of the boats in order to avoid the staff onboard
to slip at the deck and we also request swimmers to bring a
bathrobe, track-suit or towel on board which will be used by
the swimmer when finishing crossing acting as protection and
keeping the boat deck clean. It is advisable to have a person
for applying the grease to the swimmer as we can carry it out as
a last resort but this is not our mission.
We are very
conscious about the swimmers anxiety and willingness to carry
out the swimming crossing but sometimes certain circumstances
oblige us to wait for a few days and other times it is necessary
to abandon the attempt or make their stay longer. Therefore, we
ask swimmers to be patient about weather conditions and to be
considerate to other crossings which can be waiting due to bad
weather conditions. As we say "open water crossings are
like that", the only thing we cannot change is weather.
Please avoid pressuring the members of the Organization, they
will keep you informed and will pay you special attention at
your crossing turn.
On this page we will add
more advices and/ or warnings that we consider important for you
and we therefore advice you to frequently visit it.
http://www.acneg.com
e-mail:
acneg@acneg.com
gibraltarswimming@gmail.com
C/
Ntra Sra de la Luz 19, 11380 TARIFA (CÁDIZ)
TFNO- FAX. 956-680741 movil
00 34 637466732
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