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Milko Van Gool

Route and date: Glenthorne to Porthcawl 

Swim time: 8:20:38

Start: Glenthorne

Finish: Newton Beach (Ogmore River end)

Observer:    Steve Butler

Swim Crew:  Milan Van Gool             

Pending ratification by the BCSA.

Swimmers report:

 

Observers report:

There was very good communication with Milko and Meuryn in the days leading up to the event and agreeing logistics. We Agreed to meet at Penarth marina for 05:15 :00. We arrived at the Marina on time and was able to board the Rib Scorpio with our equipment immediately. Meuryn the Pilot carried out a Boat safety briefing and we left Penarth Marina to the barrage lock Cardiff Bay and made a swift exit to the Bristol channel.  Meuryn explained during the safety briefing that the crossing to Glenthorne would be approximately 90 minutes. During the journey to Glenthorne Milko informed me that if the conditions were suitable, he would be trying to break the record for the quickest swim between Glenthorne and Porthcawl.

We arrived at Glenthorne at around 07:45. Milko started to get himself ready with assistance from his son Milan. Milko was wearing Arena trunks, goggles, and swim hat. He left the boat and swam ashore clearing the water, re-entering and starting the swim at 08:04:00 He swam back past the boat, and we made our way out into a flat calm channel in the Direction of Porthcawl. 

Milko nutrition plan was to feed after the first hour then every 30 minutes using Bananas waffles and liquid carbohydrates. This was delivered by his son Milan. He was very knowledgeable and understood and implanted the plan to perfection.

 The weather conditions at the start were very good with water temperature at 18C with a 5mphr  wind from the North. Milko soon got into a good strong rhythm and a consistent stroke rate (62). His feeding plan was very meticulous, and his support  was very well organised with feeding every 30 mins. Milan Pace was very good averaging over 4.K per hour. The swimmer also had paracetamol and Ibuprofen during the swim due to a sore shoulder.

The conditions were very good, and Milko continued at a strong fast pace and seeing very little affect by the tide. We got well inside Monk Nash Lighthouse ahead of schedule. The conditions started to change and got quite choppy when going over the sandbank. We started to make our way down the coast past Southerndown and Ogmore deeps

The Tide had now turned and helped Milko increase his already fast pace. During his last feed he was informed that the potential to break the record was still on but had to make a big push towards the shore. Milko picked up his stroke rate and swam hard for the beach.

Milko landed on the shoreline a few hundred yards west of the River Ogmore and cleared the water at 16:24:38 .This made his total swim time 08:20:38. He then got back into the water and swam back to the Rib. He was still in good shape physically and very pleased with his swim. Milko’s swim was very well Planned with the pilot prior and was very well executed by Milko and his son Milan. It was a pleasure to be part of this swim and to wittiness this outstanding athletic achievement. In Marathon swimming. 

During our return to Penarth, It was evident that there had been meticulous planning between the swimmer and pilot choosing the best tide possible for the record swim attempt. Meuryn had plotted the course perfectly and gave the support team regular and accurate updates. Thanks to the Pilot for the support during the swim and keeping everybody safe.

Well done Milko that was an amazing swim, and you should be very proud of your performance.

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Video:

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