Report from FINA Open Water World Cup Grand Prix in Mexico coming soon...

Well, we made it to Mexico and back via Toronto, Canada and had a fantastic time. I will update the blog sometime over the next 4-5 days as it will take me that long to do it. We crammed so much into a week!

Just to say that I completed the gruelling 15KM swim in "Jungle temperature" conditions, and while swimming in the stunning canyon, I kept one eye out at all times for crocodiles! I kid you not....

Next stop The Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas, Mexico for a 15km FINA Open Water World Cup Grand Prix

Above: The Grijalva River, Sumidero Canyon, Chiapas, Mexico, where my next Open Water swim will take place on Saturday October 18, 2008.

Well, after all the training, including a fantastic 4,300 Metre session at Culford School pool with the West Suffolk Swimming Club masters last night, tomorrow morning at 2am we will be heading for Chiapas, Mexico via 8 hours in Toronto, Canada and 7 hours in Mexico City. It will a long journey of about 1.5 days, but I am really looking forward to competing against the likes of Beijing Olympians Petar Stoychev (Bulgaria) and Damian Blaum (Argentina) again (well swimming behind them anyway!). I will do a full report on our return.

The FINA website for the Open Water Grand Prix can be found by clicking here.

Training in Dover Harbour on a glorious autumn day in October

Above: Swimmers and stand in "Channel General" (Beccy Hopfensperger) assemble on Dover beach on a glorious October day, Saturday October 11, 2008. Sam Jones (laying down, pink hat) prepares Saturday lunch (Maxim!).

I had a couple of things to collect from my 2008 channel swim pilot, Neil Streeter, so we decided to travel the 290 mile round trip to Dover on what turned out to be a beautiful day. I needed some Maxim (channel swimmers drink) for my swim in Mexico next week, and I wanted to collect the chart of my swim which Neil had prepared. I also wanted to get a good open water training swim in as it would be the last time before Mexico. I sent an e-mail to the channel swimmers group, and was delighted to see familiar faces on the beach when we got there.

Channel Swimmers Sam Jones, Cliff Golding, Laura Lopez-Bonilla and Dave Chisolm and channel aspirant Mike Ball who will be attempting the channel in August 2009 were all there ready for a dip. Beccy setup her chair in Freda's spot and started issuing orders. It was very scary as she was very good at it. Cliff Golding took on Barrie's role of "Shingle Stomper". It was great to be here on such a sunny and warm day.

Above (Left to right): Dave, Stand in General, Sam's son Phil, Laura, Sam, Cliff and Mike get ready for our October dip.

Above (Left to right): Laura, Dave, Sam & Phil, me and Mike costumes on and ready for action.

Above: I have absolutely no idea what Sam was doing to Laura here! Answers on a postcard please....

Above: ...and I have absolutely no idea what I was doing here! All I know was that it felt damn cold compared to the sauna and steam room I had been in the night before!

As we got in and set off in the dead calm water, my face went numb and I immediately got an ice-cream headache. However, it wasn't too unbearable and by the time we had swum over to the Prince of Wales Pier I felt quite happy and the temperature gauge on my watch had bottomed out at 14.8 degrees Centigrade. Quite warm really compared to some of the swims earlier in the year.

Having all stopped together at the pier, I set off on the swim I was going to do today. This was across the harbour to the Eastern Dock, back to the P.O.W. pier and then back to the beach, flat out without stopping. It was a beautiful swim, and it was so good to be back in the open water having trained in nothing but a 20 Metre pool for the past month. I sprinted the entire swim, then came into the beach having swum for an hour.

Above: In full flight passing the beach on my way back to the Prince of Wales Pier.

Arriving back at the beach, I was pleased with myself and about to get out, when I saw "The General " (Beccy), "The Shingle Stomper" (Cliff) and Sam Jone shouting and waving at me "Get back in there. Go on. Swim back to the wall and back". I was shocked for a moment, then they all laughed. It was a very scary moment, which anyone who has trained in the harbour will know what I am talking about. However, I got out and waited for Mike to come in.

Above: 2009 Channel aspirant, Mike Ball, completes his swim. It was the latest time in the year he had ever swum in the sea and was very pleased. Well done Mike.

All in all it was a great day. I got my 2008 channel swim chart and Maxim for Mexico, had a great meal in Cullins Yard and had a great swim. Next stop, the Sumidero Canyon in Mexico on October 18th followed by our channel swimmers re-union meal organised by Nicola Millichip in Cullins Yard, Dover on Saturday 25th. Anyone who's coming, don't forget your costumes!!!

British Long Distance Swimming Association - Lynn Regis Championship 2008 - The Winner Confirmed!

Above: Stephen Smith, BLDSA race organiser for the Lynn Regis Championship, presents Paul Hopfensperger with "both winners trophies" on Wednesday October 08, 2008 for the event which took place on Saturday September 20, 2008.

You may remember that on September 20, 2008, I crossed the finish line of the 2008 BLDSA Lynn Regis Championship in first place, only to be denied the winners trophy for the entire event because I was too old! If not, then click here to see the original story.

Well I am delighted to say, that this afternoon, the race organiser, Stephen Smith, drove all the way up from his home in Essex to present me with the winners trophy following a decision by the BLDSA committee last Saturday morning. I would like to thank Stephen, and all on the committee who came to this decision, which I am told by Stephen has made BLDSA history! Apparently, in the 52 year history of the BLDSA, a "Veteran" (someone aged 45 or over) has never won a "Senior men's" race (a male who is over 16 years old). Thank you once again, and I promise to try not to do it again!

Click here to download final list of results

The next swim is a 15KM FINA World Cup Grand Prix in Mexico. Beccy and I have had our jabs and started our malaria tablets! Will probably take a trip to train in Dover Harbour on Saturday to get back in the open water before we leave for Mexico. Anyone fancy coming in for a dip with me, just e-mail me and we will meet you there.

Eastern Region Masters Championships 2008

Above: Members of the West Suffolk Swimming Club Masters who competed at the 'Eastern Region Masters Championships' at the Bury St Edmunds Sports and Leisure Centre on Sunday October 05, 2008, display some of their medals at the half way stage of the competition.

Above: My medal haul for 2008, two silver and two bronze medals from four individual and two team relay events.

Above: Warming up on poolside prior to swimming in the Men's 100 Metres Freestyle (age 45 - 49 years).

This was my first indoor pool competition since what seems like a lifetime ago at the Sudbury Valentine Masters meet on February 16, 2008. So much had happened since then, mainly in outdoor open water, that it felt very strange standing on the blocks to compete in a 400 Metres freestyle event at 09.15 on a Sunday morning in a pool I had swum so many thousands of lengths in since I was a 12 year old boy in 1975. Normally at this time on a Sunday I would be just about to turn at the Eastern Dock in Dover Harbour to head towards the Prince of Wales Pier, 15 minutes into a 6 hour swim. But not today. Today I was competing in very competitive 45-49 years old masters events against the same people I used to swim against as a lad. Steve Coe from Thetford Dolphins, Martyn Fresher of Chatteris Kingfishers and fellow English Channel Swimmer, Mark Ransom formerly of the now defunct Bury Beavers Swimming club, but now of West Suffolk Masters to name but a few. Now however, although we were much older, we were still just as competitive, if not more so!

On October 3rd, fellow English Channel Swimmer Jim Boucher, posted the following on my Facebook account-

"Good luck - they're only a few sprints and don't even add up to a wall-wall at Dover! targets: 29.50 [50M F/S], 1:06.00 [100M F/S], 2:24.00 [200M F/S], 5:30 [400M F/S]. Beat all four and win a couple of Guinness at our next meeting!". As the gun went off for the start of the 400 Metres, I could smell the Guinness! I broke each race down into 1/2 a pint of Guinness.

At last years event, I won the 40 to 44 years old 400 Metres freestyle event in 5:24.99, so I felt I could easily beat the 5:30 target set by Jim to win the Guinness. Tim, a fellow WSSC member, timed each 100 Metres for me. 1st 100M - approximately 69 seconds. 2nd - 77 secs. 3rd - 79 seconds. 4th - 79 seconds. Final time - 5:05.60 - YES! I was gob smacked at the time. It was 20 seconds faster than last year and 25.4 seconds inside a 1/2 pint of Guinness! Are you getting worried Jim? I have to say though, I was knackered at the end of it. I had gone flat out at the start and hung on as fast as my arms would carry me until the end. I took 3rd place overall and a bronze medal for my efforts, but was well pleased with the time.

Next up was the 50 Metres freestyle. This was a tough target set by Jim. 29.50 seconds was very fast considering that I am not a sprinter any more, but a long distance swimmer. Last year I took 2nd place in 30.12. At Sudbury I finished in 29.81. Was 29.50 possible? The gun went, and I sprinted with everything I had! Only 7 events after the 400 Metres, my arms felt very heavy. When I touched and saw my name and time up on the electronic scoreboard, I shook my head in disbelief! 30.46 seconds. That was awful. A bad time, 4th position and worst of all, no 1/2 pint of Guinness! Must do better next event.

The next event was the 100 Metres freestyle. My target time was 1:06.00. I was competing against my fellow cub member and channel swimmer Mark Ransom.

Above: The start of the men's 100 Metres Freestyle. I was in lane 5 and Mark was in lane 1.

As I sprinted down the pool after a couple of hours rest, I felt much stronger. It probably helped that I had mixed up and drunk 1/2 a litre of Freda's Maxim mix as well. I felt like 'Popeye' who had just eaten his spinach. I smashed my hand into the electronic timing at the end of 100 Metres, and looked up at the electronic scoreboard. 2nd position. Silver medal and time - 1:05.31. YES! Another 1/2 pint of Guinness from Mr Boucher thank you!

Above: With Mark Ransom after the Men's 100 Metres freestyle.

The next event was the men's 100 Metres Medley relay. I only just made it out of the 100 Metres race, ran down the other end of the pool, got my ear plugs, hat and goggles back on before taking off on the last leg.

I dived in just ahead of the chap in lane 1. Unfortunately, he just pipped me at the finish and we came in in 4th position.

My last solo event was the men's 200 Metres freestyle. Jim's time to beat was 2:24.00. This was going to be tough as it was now about 5pm and we had been there since 8am. It had been a long day in hot conditions on the poolside. I had forgotten what these meets were like having spent so long in cold Dover! This was a mixed 200 Metres freestyle. This meant that men and women of all ages were in the same event, and even though you were swimming with them, you were not necessarily swimming against them. It was all to do with sex and age. I stood on the blocks and was swimming next to a girl who looked no more than about 16-17. From the programme names she was either Katie Higgon from Harwich or Cathy Thomson from Chatteris who ere competing in the 18-24 years old Senior Age Group Championships. We started and whichever one she was, she went of like a rocket.

Above: Finishing and getting out of the pool at the end of the 200 Metres freestyle. Finish time: 2:25.11 and 3rd position overall.

Seeing the time up on the electronic scoreboard, I realised that another 1/2 pint of Guinness had slipped from my grasp! Jim, you only owe me a pint mate and I owe you the other one!

We had one more event to complete. The men's 100 Metres Freestyle relay. I was competing in the West Suffolk A team with Mark, Emmanuel and Tim.

Above: Taking over from Mark Ransom (Fly) to complete the final leg (Freestyle) to take 2nd place and a silver medal.

All in all it was a great day and apart from the 50 Metres freestyle, all individual swims were faster than my times for last year. The 400 Metres time I still can't believe!

While at the event, the race organiser of the British Long Distance Swimming Association event at Lynn Regis on September 1st, Stephen Smith, telephoned me with some great news. I will update the site with it later in the week when I have it confirmed.

A long night in The English Channel 2008 - The video

If after watching the above video you feel you would like to sponsor me, then please click on one or both of the links below and donate securely online. Thank you.

CLIC Sargent - Children's Cancer Charity

and/or (preferably and!)

St Nicholas' Hospice, Bury St Edmunds

For full story and photos of the swim <CLICK HERE>

British Long Distance Swimming Association - Lynn Regis Championship 2008 - Winner!?

Above: Very happy after 'winning' the BLDSA Lynn Regis Championship 2008, covering the 4.5KM fresh water river swim in 01:02:55 (hh:mm:ss).

Just 8 days after completing my second English Channel swim, and after two light training sessions in the pool at Clarice House, we set of for Kings Lynn in North Norfolk to compete in the 2008 BLDSA Lynn Regis Championship. Due to all of the weekend training sessions required for the channel, this was only my second BLDSA event of the season, the Champion of Champions race in Dover Harbour was the other one, and I was really looking forward to it.

This was a big family day out with our dog Casper in the back, and Baz with his friend Ben all attending on what was an absolutely beautiful September day. In fact it was probably the best weather we had had since back in July. It really has been an awful year for the weather as far as open water swimming is concerned.

Above: Beccy massages a small but painful knot from my left shoulder just before the swim.

We were all briefed by the race organiser, Stephen Smith, given our numbers (I was M16) then prepared ourselves ready to enter the water to start the race. Just before I got in, I drank a full 500ml of "Channel Swimmers" energy drink (Maxim with water) then proceeded down to the river to enter the 15.5 degree Centigrade waters of the River Great Ouse.

Above: Entering the water and swimming to our start positions, which was to form a line between the river bank and the kayak.

Above: Video of the start of the race, I was closely watching Simon Lee of Solent Swimming Club who has won 54 BLDSA races over the years, and in my mind he was the man I had to beat to win this race.

Above: Baz and Ben watch the race and thanks to Baz who took all of the photos and video of the race.

The start of the race was the usual affair with lots of frantic swimming, jostling for position and kicks in the face. To my left just ahead of me was BLDSA committee member Dee Llewelyn from Bradford Swimming Club and to the right was Lee Portingale from Hitchin. The first lap was quite physical, and try as I might I could not get past Lee who constantly veered in front of me whenever I tried. I was sandwiched in between Dee and Lee and out to the right just ahead was Simon Lee.

Above: Swimming down the back straight after about the first 1KM of the 4.5KM race.

I swum at about 85% effort from the beginning and I felt really strong. Not at any stage did I feel that my arms were getting tired or that I was fading. I think I still had my non existent second channel swim energy to get rid of from last week, and I was absolutely fired up!

Eventually, I decided to go for it and squeezed myself in between Dee and Lee. As I crossed the start/finish line for the first of three times, I thought to myself that I was in the lead. I couldn't see Simon Lee anywhere and I assumed that I was either behind him, or he was way out in front. I looked up a couple of times, but could not see anyone ahead of me, and so just kept swimming. For most of the next couple of laps, Dee Llewelyn was just to the left of me and slightly behind. As I turned around each buoy at 750 Metres, I could see that Lee was a good 30-40 seconds behind me, but I still didn't know where Simon Lee was so started to increase my pace.

Above: Swimming alongside Dee Llewelyn for about 3KM of the race. Casper watches patiently for the race to end so that he can get in the river. Each time I went past he barked at me!

Eventually, still not knowing if I was definitely leading or not, I started to sprint at about 95% effort and broke clear of Dee. I was now out on my own, but unsure of my exact position.

Above: Out in the clear on the final stretch before turning for the short sprint to the finish line.

As I turned round the last buoy, I saw a blue hat around the other side of the buoy about 100 Metres in total in front of me. It must be Simon Lee I thought, and so sprinted flat out. I caught the swimmer with ease and realised that I must have just lapped someone. As I crossed the finish line, I shouted "Where did I come?". One of the judges put her forefinger up and said "First!". I was absolutely astonished and delighted to say the least. I had won my first BLDSA race, beating everyone in the field, Male/Female/Juniors/Seniors at the age of 45! I was chuffed to bits.

Above: Getting my breath back immediately after the finish of the race.

Above: Chatting to Dee Llewelyn and Lee Portingale immediately after the race. Simon Lee (left) came in 3rd position.

Dee came in about 12 seconds behind me and Lee about 1.5 minutes behind me (I will know exactly when the results are published). "You've speeded up!" said Dee. "It's all that Channel training Freda's put me through" I replied. We stayed in the water for a couple of minutes chatting before getting out.

Above: Beccy and Casper waiting to congratulate me after my win. (He spent the rest of the afternoon jumping in and out of the river having a great time!).

Above: Chatting to other swimmers about the race while waiting for the other swimmers to finish.

Disappointment after a great day!

When all the swimming was complete, we went into the Ouse Sailing Club clubhouse for the prize giving. When I entered the race and paid my entry fee, there were quite clearly three levels of entry on the form:-

4.5KM (Senior) / 1.5KM (Junior) / 1KM (Novice)

I paid my £18.00 entry fee for the Seniors 4.5KM Gents Freestyle race. When the prizes were given out, I was presented with the "Veterans" trophy as the winner of the "Veterans" race. I was confused as I didn't know there was a "Veterans" race. To my knowledge I had won the entire event! Matters were compounded when Lee Portingale of Hitichin, was presented with a trophy for "First Male Finisher" and winner of the Senior Men's race. He came over to me and said "I asked them to give this to you but they wouldn't!". He was clearly uncomfortable accepting the trophy, and so would I have been if I was in that position. So the "Senior Male" who came second in the race, was presented with the winners trophy and the winner (me) got presented with the "Winner of the Veteran's race" trophy!

Above: BLDSA President, Janet Wilson presents Paul Hopfensperger, first person home in the entire swim, and therefore first Male over 16 home, with the Men's Veteran trophy, while...

Above: BLDSA President, Janet Wilson presents the second Male swimmer over 16 home, Lee Portingale of Hitichin, with the "First Male Swimmer over 16 home" trophy!?

I queried all of this with race organiser Stephen Smith, who said during the presentations that they had never had this position before where a "Veteran" (45 years old and over on the day of the swim) had beaten the "Senior Men" (Male swimmers aged 16 and over on the day of the swim - (Includes Veterans)) and so they were unsure what to do.

I telephoned him on Sunday evening, and he has promised to look into this for me at the next committee meeting in October, as he feels that I have a point, and the official results will show that I won the race. I entered a race as a "Senior" and there was no mention of the word "Veteran" when entering the race. The people I have spoken to think that I should have received both trophies and this is what I feel as well. I am a male over 16 and was the first male over 16 to finish the race. How can that be any clearer you would have to ask? I have never heard of anyone being too old to win a race! Isn't that discrimination?

Click here to download report and preliminary results

Watch this space for further news...