Former Richmond Player’s Channel Swim
The front row forward set off at 2am on Sunday, September 6.
Rupert Allhusen is celebrating becoming 40, not with a distanced party, but by swimming the English Channel.
Having waited for suitable weather and the green light, he began his swim in the early hours of this morning (Sunday) from Abbotts Cliff Beach. He hopes to reach France some time late afternoon.
Having enjoyed swimming since pulling on armbands and growing up in Devon, the ocean always beckoned. Rugby was another love, Rupert joining Richmond Rugby Club while at Brunel University in 1999 and earning over 150 1st XV caps before, more recently, touring with the Richmond Heavies to Argentina. He also earned an Oxford blue in 2007.
Having decided to brave the Channel, swim training took over, alongside his career in the insurance industry. With a family of three, he transformed from prop forward to long distance swimmer, taking part in annual outdoor swimming societies’ open water events from the Dart10K, to the Bantham Swoosh 6K and also the Hurly Burly 10K in Snowdonia.
With his times improving and a naturally competitive spirit, around 2016 Rupert began to dream of swimming the channel, that dream becoming more of a reality over the past 12 months.
12-15 hours
The shortest distance across is between Shakespeare Beach, just west of Dover docks, and Cap Gris Nez, west of Calais. Swimmers cover far more, however, as changing tides sweep them on an S-shaped course. So Rupert has no idea where in France he will land.
His pilot boat, skippered by Mike Oram, and with rugby team mate Matt Brown on board, will be watching out for the 600 freighters, tankers and 200 ferries which pass through the Straits of Dover daily, as he swims in sea temperatures ranging from 14°C to 18°C but known to drop to 6°C.
He had to complete a six -hour swim in similar conditions beforehand and for his crossing to be recognised by the Cross Channel Swimming Association, Rupert must start and finish on dry land; with no artificial aid; only wear goggles, a cap, nose clips, ear plugs and a sleeveless and armless costume. Additional insulation, traditionally goose fat, can be applied and he can’t touch another human being or the boat.
Food has to be passed to him from the boat on a long pole and if he comes straight home he doesn’t need a passport. Although this will disappoint his kids, Florence, Wilbur and Hector, excitedly watching his progress but who were also hoping for Toblerones from duty free!
The record time is 7 hours but says Rupert “Anything from 12 to 15 hours would be marvellous. I know it’s a slightly odd thing to do but, having put in lots of training, I’m feeling confident. The strange part is waiting for when I get told it’s happening, it’s not like a rugby match!”
A good cause
He chose his two charities: CMV Action as a close friend’s daughter has been affected by cytomegalovirus and the charity aims to educate, vaccinate, and eradicate CMV and reduce the risks of this virus in unborn babies.
The other, Richmond Heavies Foundation Defibrillator Fund, provides defibrillators, training and maintenance to rugby clubs through the Heartbeat Trust.
Rupert was much encouraged by former Worcester Warriors centre Alex Grove’s channel swim at the start of the month, when he put in a 13 hour 57 minute shift to reach France and raise money for Acorns Children’s Hospice which cares for children across the West Midlands.
To follow Rupert’s progress or donate visit this page.
