Lesley has an impressive background.  National Ladies Triathlon (Modern Pentathlon) Champion ages ago. British Students Biathlon Champion '3 yrs running' also ages ago.  Was Cheshire Ladies swimming captain. Got back into swimming in 2007, unfit and creaky, still.. Biggest achievement post retirement = a Silver in 200 IM British Masters Swimming Championships 2008. Now swimming for Hull Masters Swimming Club and Yorkshire County. (photo Hull daily mail)

why did I want to do this? I ask myself this regularly...because it's a challenge that I never thought I'd do, as I hate the cold.

The distance doesn't faze me, my fitness doesn't worry me - the cold, dark, sea sickness and the unexpected - does.
Life is about living it to the full but it's the extra-ordinary that makes it exciting. I'd like to be a part of something that not everybody gets the chance to do and by raising money for good causes too, everyone wins.
 

Although I could swim (of sorts) as a child, I wasn't a member of a club and didn't learn to swim properly until I joined Guildford City masters in 2000.  I've learned and improved since then, but will never be a 'fast' swimmer.  I prefer endurance events as as a result have been naturally drawn to open water.  I've done a few open water events, with the  most successful one being winning a bronze medal in the 2005 World Masters Games in Edmonton.

I've swum in 2 successful standard channel relay teams, 1 successful 3 person relay and I have made an unsuccessful solo attempt. 

In 2009 I will be attempting to swim Lake Zurich, participating in this relay race and then attempting another solo crossing.  I see this relay race as a great warm up for the solo, and a great way to share my love for channel swimming with some new and old friends.