Seven Qatari professionals from different fields set to swim across English Channel
A team of seven amateur Qatari athletes — successful professionals in different fields — is gearing up to do something inspiring.
The seven swimmers will attempt to swim across the English Channel, sometime between July 20 and 27, to inspire their countrymen and to promote sports and a healthier life style among them, reported Gulf Times.
The attempt is known as one of the toughest physical challenges in the world, taking the team around 18 to 20 hours of swimming to cover the more than 34kms on relay basis.
The ‘Team Qatar Channel Swim’ comprises Dr Mohamed Al Kuwari, Dr Faleh Mohamed Ali, Dr Jamal Rashid Al Khanji, Dr Khalid Al Jalham, professor Nasser Al Mohannadi, Fahad Al Buenain and Talal Al Emadi.
With Ryan Bowd as the team director and head coach and Tim Tenyer as coach, Team Qatar is made up of medical, oil and gas and legal experts.
Their plan is to launch the historic attempt on July 20 near Shakespeare’s Cliff or Samphire Hoe between Folkestone and Dover and complete the swim of about 34 kms near Cap Griz Nez between Boulogne and Calais on July 27, reported Qatar Tribune.
British comedian David Williams inspired the Qatari group to take up the unique challenge and they began planning and preparations in September-October last year.
Dr Fahad said,
“Whatever you do, you aim for the biggest. If you’re doing mountaineering, you always dream about Mount Everest or if you’re into swimming, you go for the toughest which is the English Channel. We’re full-time professionals from different backgrounds. We’re all linked to adventure sports and have the common goal of doing something to inspire the community and the country,” said Dr Fahad.
“Williams had crossed the English Channel and raised about one millions pounds for needy children. So that idea inspired Dr Falah and he discussed it with us and we decided to go ahead with it,” he added.
“There hasn’t been any amateur attempts from Qatar or any Gulf country before so we take that with a lot of pride and we’re very happy to be the first to register,” said Dr Al Khanji.
The hazardous waterway has been conquered only by 1,484 individual swimmers and 757 relay teams during the past 143 years.
