Kelowna

Kelowna's Brent Hobbs has completed his life long dream.

Hobbs, 40, swam the English Channel on Monday, finishing the 35 kilometre journey in 10 hours and 43 minutes.

He began training for the swim last fall to get used to the physical demands of swimming for extended periods of time.

At the time, he says this was his one chance to swim the channel, a dream he has had since he was a kid.

"If I don’t do it now, I may not have the stamina to do it later in life,” says Hobbs.

On his daily blog, Hobbs says he was met with good weather conditions Monday morning, enabling him to realize his dream.

"We swam across the English Channel today in 10 hours and 43 minutes--witnessed by the dolphins that escorted us part of the way back to Dover. It was magical for all of us. I say "we" crossed the channel because it was the support of friends, family, colleagues, boat crew, the Channel Swimming Association and good weather conditions that enabled me to achieve my dream of swimming the channel. I will never forget this experience!"

Hobbs and his wife Joanne have been in England for more than a week preparing for the swim.

In an earlier entry he writes, "I have been training in Dover for five days now. This is hallowed ground. Swimmers from all over the world converge here in an attempt to swim the channel."

Hobbs says he has met swimmers from India, Japan, Iceland, Germany, Egypt, Brazil, Venezuela, USA, Ireland, Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom, all hoping to swim the channel.

He says he will write more once he has had a chance to rest.

One of the many stipulations set forth before someone can swim the channel states the swimmer must use the venture to raise money for charity.

Hobbs is raising funds for the Y's Strong Kids campaign and Kelowna General Hospital Foundations.

You can make a pledge by calling 250-862-4438 or 250-491-9622.

Link: Link to Brent Hobbs' blog Link: Local to swim English Channel