DCT has a global reputation for running weekend training for swimmers training for all sorts of events, not just the English Channel. We haven’t previously been known for running training camps.

Last year, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant disruption to the start of the training season. All overseas training camps were cancelled at the last minute as borders closed. Our training was ‘virtual’ only until week 11.

There was a risk that if swimmers had been infected with COVID-19 asymptomatically that there would be issues as they ramped up training, so we planned a ramp up week, to safely ramp training up from lockdown and towards swim plans.

That camp was a success!

COVID-19 continues to impact us. Still no overseas training camps. Lockdowns. Pool closures. Quarantines & isolations. The list goes on.

In 2020 the training that was impacted was March to June.

In 2021 it was the winter pool based training that was primarily lost.

As there had been COVID-19 impacts again this year, albeit different ones, we decided that we would run a training camp again. This was no longer a ramp up week, but an intensity week instead. A slightly different focus.

This reminds me of my own training in 2009 when I spent a couple of weeks in Dover in June, away from the distractions of life. It was my own little intensity camp that gave me a massive boost at just the right time.

This is how Intensity week 2021 went.

The plan

The plan was to create a training environment that was fun and enabled training to be flexible based on the needs and starting points of each participant. Before we started we were aware that the attendees were training for a variety of events including:

English Channel relay
Windermere
English Channel solo
20 Bridges
North Channel

Whilst most had also been training with us at the weekends, this wasn’t the case for all. In fact some travelled from the USA to attend this camp.

It’s not just DCT that run training camps at this time of year in the UK. There’s Durley week, Varne Ridge camp and Kings Swimmers camp to mention a few. Each has something a little unique. Given that most people are needing to take time off from work, it made sense to avoid clashing with other camps so that swimmers had the most choices possible. All credit to those swimmers who did another camp before our one. That’s INTENSITY in capitals!

So, not only were people training for different swims and starting from different levels of training going into the camp, with some having done a camp already, some also did the weekend before and after the camp. That was a fair amount of tailoring required. It may not have appeared that way from the outside looking in, but from the inside looking out, we put a lot of thought into what we asked of each swimmer each day and we adjusted that plan based on learnings through the week.

The plan was to start slowly on Monday. For some the intensity came on Tuesday and Wednesday. For some it was Wednesday and Thursday. For all it was a recovery day on Friday.

Monday

Jacky, our relay swimmer, blew us away on Monday. We had originally planned a relatively gentle 1 hour in, hour out and second hour in. Instead she smashed the CSA 2 hour relay qualifier!

That meant that all swimmers ended up being asked to do the same thing - 2 hours. A nice, gentle, introduction.

That is except Stuart, who was out actually doing a channel relay. That said, he also swam for 2 hours, just not as a single swim!

Then came the DCT twist. We have a bit of a reputation for fun & craziness and a camp is no different. So there were team races with various hinderances and aids. Was this just a bit of fun? Was it a bit of team building? Or was there a hidden bit of training in there (e.g. speed / power work). I’ll leave you to ponder on that one.

Tuesday

The intensity ramps up a bit. Keen to bag her qualifier, Izzy nails her 6. Jacky went for the clean sweep of qualifiers and completed the CS&PF qualifier. Most others built to 4 hours.

Then came the fun with team races with the inflatable kayak. Reggie made it look easy to stay in the kayak and lulled other teams into a false sense of security. There were some creative team tactics and some saboteurs on the course to make it that little bit harder!

Wednesday

The beach was very quiet at the start of this day. Demons were in force. Most guessed that 6 hours was going to be on the cards, though in some cases the ask was 7 hours.

Izzy was not expecting a 7 hour swim after her 6 hours of yesterday and she managed to find her inner superhero and nailed it.

We had swimmers helping swimmers through tough moments, only to have the favour repaid the other way round at the end of the swim.

We finished this day in a party spirit and top marks to those who managed to keep their hats intact for the last part of their swim!

All in all a very impressive day. 22 swimmers went in with about 220 demons between them. 22 swimmers emerged and the 220 demons were banished.

Thursday

Those who had clocked Izzy’s back to back could reasonably guess what was coming for them.

Jacky having smashed both relay qualifiers and a ‘normal’ relay training session, went on to give a straight 3 hour swim a go. I definitely think she has a solo Coniston, or other such solo in her future and I can’t wait to hear all about that!

What wasn’t forecast was the fog that came rolling in. That made for a much smaller swim zone for a while. Something that could easily knock you off your stride but not this group. They followed the adapted plan and the show went on.

Friday

Blink and you miss it. How did the week disappear so quickly?

Friday was our weather contingency day. We had hoped to have a trip to Hythe for an experience of something a little different, but the weather thought otherwise. Dover it was.

We started with board breaking. At the beginning of the week each swimmer had been given a wooden board, on one side they were to write any fears, limiting beliefs, burdens etc that they had on their mind. On the other side what life will be like when they break through that. On Friday we literally broke through the ‘stuff’ and into the better life by breaking the boards.

After that, more fun games before many made their way home in cars, trains and planes.

Thank you

My thanks go to all the swimmers who gave their all. I hope you will take the positive learnings with you to your big day. You now have a group who will be beside you, all the way, on your big day.

Massive thanks to Mandi, Paul & Jon who took time out from their day jobs to help out. This really is the ‘A’ team.

Next year

This had been intended as a COVID-19 adaptation and not part of our annual calendar. But when you start to hear people saying ‘see you next year’, it’s time to think again!

I suspect you will indeed see us again doing this next year.

If you’d like to join us, here are a few quotes from the participants of Intensity Week 21. I’ll share more in the lead up to next year.

“Dover Intensive Training week provided an opportunity to step away from life and focus solely on preparation for my English Channel crossing. Emma, Paul,Mandy and Jon are amazingly supportive and dedicated to helping swimmers realize their dreams!”

— Gina

“The DCT Intensity week is an ideal platform for Channel & marathon swimmers. I would highly recommend it for the swims, the knowledge within the group, the cameraderie within the team and not forgetting the chance the spend time with the fabulous Emma France and her crew. Thank you for the opportunity to join you all.”

— Nikki

“Delivered way above my expectations with great leadership and a fun team spirit.”

— Tony

“I went for five days of supported training with like-minded people on the Costa del Kent. I got what I wanted in spades, and a suntan as a bonus. When can I book for next year?”

— Mr P

“A fab week working on body and brain in equal measure..”

— Jamie

“The Intensity training week changed my training and my belief system for swimming the Channel! It was incredible and the most inspiring and motivational part of my training so far… I knew I needed it but Emma and the crew knew exactly what I needed which has just changed the direction of everything in the build up to my swim! I can’t describe it well enough - it was so incredible, I highly recommend it. It was tough… but is what was needed. If you’re looking for incredible training, to change your mindset, for advice and some great fun with other swimmers, I highly recommend it!”

— Izzy

“The DCT Intensity Week is a terrific opportunity for any swimmer, but particularly for swimmers with EC solo or other long swims planned for the current season. Almost regardless of other training plans or schedule, this Week affords the chance to accomplish some long swims under the watchful eye of an experienced group of guides and support staff and with a similar-minded group of fellow swimmers.”

— Larry

“Whatever event you are training for, this week will have you feeling more ready! And, there is a bit of fun thrown in with a great group of people.”

— Kristen

“You will leave stronger in the water and the head.”

— Piers

“When we left there were dead demons all over the beach!”

— Vikki