Google Casey Bowen English Channel and you will find a great deal of information about this accomplishment.
Casey is goal driven. In order to be successful he developed a 5-P process:
- Pick
- Plan
- Practice
- Prepare
- Perform
As a swimmer he was often asked 2 different questions:
- Have you ever been in the Olympics
- Did you ever swim the English Channel?
Putting his 5 step process place he set on a goal to swim the English Channel.
PICK
When you are ready to set a goal - put a focus in mind - consider things that interests and challenges you. Do your research and then reassess the goal to be sure you want to proceed.
While researching he found out that there are some rules in place such as what you can wear - no wet suit, one pair of goggles, one swim cap. You are not allowed any help. He learned that the temperature of the channel water is 50 to 60 degrees. He also learned that the risk rate (fatalities to attempts) was higher than those scaling Mount Everest.
He pointed out that, to be an Olympic swimmer on the U.S. team you have to be in the top 5% of the swimmers. So, that would not likely happen for him. He decided he could focus on swimming the English Channel and his process continued.
PLAN
He sought the advice of those that had been successful. After setting some milestones, he created a plan.
To swim the English Channel from the Cliffs of Dover to the Coast of France in a straight line is about 21 miles. But, due to the currents they have to take a path that is curved making the distance 26 miles.
Because of the water temperature he would need to gain weight to reduce the risk of hypothermia.
PRACTICE
This was the most important aspect of the process. You need to put in enough practice to ensure you can endure the actual event. And, you need to practice as if it was the actual event.
During practice you would discover your weaknesses and obstacles to your success.
In preparation for the cold temperature of the water, he gained weight. And, he did not take a warm shower for about 2 years prior to the event.
He would practice / train in his neighbor's outdoor pool in the off season when the water was 50 to 60 degrees. His first ocean practice was Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was choppy so it gave him an introduction to what he might be facing.
The next practice was off Catalina Island and that was a failure for him and his swim partner. He got very sea sick and had to stop. His partner suffered hypothermia. He studied anti-nausea medicines.
A practice session in Colorado for 6 hours was successful. The water in the middle of the lake was about 55 degrees.
They would review and assess each practice session.
PREPARE
Review all of the experience to date. Make a list of the items you would need - they obviously would need to take everything with them as there was no way to go back for supplies. The supplies included their swimwear, nutrition and ropes (they are thrown out to them in the water by rope), glow sticks, wax ear plugs and sunscreen to name a few items.
PERFORM
Casey advises - stick to your plan - don't make any last minute changes unless the plan fails, then have a contingency plan.
Attitude is a huge part of this - have faith in yourself and resist negativity.
Casey swam alongside a guide boat which is how he was able to stay on course. The crew on the boat provided him with his food and drink along the way and, from the videos, a lot of encouragement.
About Dermatology Associates of Lincoln (https://dermassociatesoflincoln.com/) - they wanted their building to be the most energy efficient building possible. They have the largest solar powered array allowed by LES. After the 1st month they received a large rebate from LES because of the power they were provide to the system. They have all LED lighting, motion sensors and high efficiency air handling. You will find them at 70th & South.
BIO
I am a Dermatologist at Dermatology Associates of Lincoln. A new practice opened in May of this year. Prior to that I was the Dermatologist at Offutt for the past 3 years and had been an active duty Air Force physician since 2009. I transitioned to the Nebraska Air National Guard as a Lieutenant Colonel last week.
During my time in the Air Force I had the opportunity to swim division 1 for 4 years at the Air Force Academy as well as internationally at military competitions in places like Germany and Poland. In 2016 the Air Force sponsored me to swim solo across the English Channel and I became the 1400th (ish) person to do so in a time of 12 hours. I have given a short (15 minutes or so) talk on goal setting as it relates to my channel crossing a few times in the Air Force and last year at Millard Air Port for an Aviation STEM event. If you are interested I could give this talk to the group. The idea crossed my mind after hearing Ashton Lambie’s great talk. I could tailor it to something else or just speak about the experience if you would prefer.