I’m very happy to announce that Sylvain Estadieu will be joining me on the boat for the swim leg. I met Sylvain at a long distance swimming camp in Cork last year and I helped on his support boat when he swam the English Channel in the summer. Sylvain will be my support swimmer-he’s smaller than me so fingers crossed the sharks will go for him first!
Who are you?
Sylvain, 24, originally from Strasbourg in Alsace, France and living in Cork, Ireland since 2006. I work there as a software engineer and spend most of my free time either in a swimming pool or in the sea.
What are you doing on the trip?
I will be serving as a support swimmer (read “bait for big fish”) as well as a translator / janitor / anything really.
How did you get involved?
I met Dan when we both took part in the 2-week Cork swim camp in June 2009. Dan was the only guy of the group who wasn’t training for a Channel attempt. I remember him telling me about his goal of swimming between America and Europe with a straight face and my saying “Yeah, riiiiight …”.
My Channel swim was scheduled for mid-September, Dan offered to crew for me and did an amazing job filming, giving me updates, keeping the rest of the crew happy, etc. This is when he threw me the idea of spending summer 2010 on his boat. A few weeks later, I was in.
What do you do normally?
I graduated from university two years ago and found a job as a software developper right after that. For the past 18 months my typical week consisted of 40 hours in front of a computer screen and 15 hours swimming in all kinds of water from pools to lakes to rivers to the sea!
Relevant skills and experience?
I started swimming when I was 3. For the past 3 years I have been taking on longer and longer open water challenges, from 2km in the River Lee to 21 miles in the English Channel. I guess that is going to be my most relevant skill during the Atlantic trip. I’m also not too afraid of jellyfish and sharks so I can always swim my way between Dan and and any hostile creature if need be. I’m also a qualified first aider.
Favorite wake up song?
“Bohemian like you” by the Dandy Warhols
Favorite movie for when we’re lost in the middle of nowhere?
Love actually … because love is actually all around, ya know.
Worst moment travelling?
I’m not an experienced traveller/adventurer, I have never put myself in a really uncomfortable situation while travelling … yet. I suppose that sleeping in Dublin airport every year just before Christmas as part as my trip back home to France is not something worth mentionning on an adventurer’s resume …
What will you miss most whilst on the trip?
I will most likely miss having croissants for breakfast … not sure yet what the plan is regarding coffee onboard! And of course family, friends and my little viking princess, Jag kommer att sakna er.
Why are you doing this?
I see this trip as an internship for part of my Master’s degree in adventure and impossible stuff.
Seriously it’s difficult to say no to something that is going to be so boring and exciting, so pointless and yet so important. This trip is a life-changer, not only for Dan and the crew but also for those who’ll benefit from the money raised for Dans foundation and all of those who’ll get inspired by this insane Brit! I for one am inspired by Dan’s previous accomplishments and dedication and am looking forward to learning and elevating my charitable and adventurous spirits.
Why am I doing this?
Dan pulled the short straw during the latest adventurers meeting maybe?
