For anyone who’s ever swam a mile or had a dream, you will be able to relate to these eight, Brucey’s Junior Channel Squad.  Two boys and six girls, all between the ages of 12 and 15, are learning what it is to work together in the hope that this English summer, they may swim one of the greatest swimming stretches in the world – the English channel.

 
Brucey’s Squad are coached by Australian Olympic Coach Roger Bruce and International Marathon Hall Fame Honoree and Australia’s fastest female solo English Channel swimmer Tamara Bruce.  With a combined 87 years of training experience, the children are in exceptionally capable and accomplished hands.


The children have each been swimming for various lengths of time and in different capacities, but all have banded together to make the demanding swim between July 07th and 17th of this year.

 
At this stage, the children are training four times a week at their local swimming pool, Aqualife, and once per week they are open water swimming to get used to the cold, the waves and the constant bobbing of the water.   Five sessions of any one activity per week is pretty tough, but this team is dedicated to making it happen!


 
There is much to be mindful of when taking on a swim like this.  Not only do the children need to be physically fit to endure the gruelling 15 to 18 degree temperatures of the water, but they need to be mentally prepared for the arduous and constant boat bobbing that could last for anything up to 18 hours!  Sea sickness, strict swimming requirements and cold, ocean air all create a recipe for character building of a good kind.

 
Grace Oliva, 12, says that her motivation for swimming was wearing the sheep fat that will be rubbed all over her body in an effort to provide some added protection from the icy temperatures.  Ashvinie, 14, who was the youngest solo swimmer in this year’s Rottnest Channel crossing, simply loves open water swimming and relishes the opportunity to face the crossing.


As with any great dream, this one is costly.  Not only for the children’s time and energy, but also to get to England and stay there for the undetermined amount of time, whilst waiting for the tides to be right.  (No time will be wasted however as the children will continue training everyday until their time comes).


 We are looking for funds to help support the dream and cover the costs for qualified and professional Channel crossing boat hire and captains, Channel association fees, coach and boat handler fees as well as a team uniform the children can proudly wear to represent their squad from their hometown of Perth, W.A.



 Any donation, big or small will be graciously and gratefully received.

 We are proud as punch of these hardworking children and their amazing coaches who believe in them and are prepared to go the extra mile in making far-reaching goals come near.



As Tamara Bruce says, ‘Failure to prepare is preparing to fail and what your mind can conceive to believe you body can achieve.  Never underestimate your abilities, no matter your age.’ 


 If you would like to follow the journey of Brucey’s Junior Channel Squad, you can find us at,
https://www.facebook.com/Bruceys-Squad-English-Channel-Team-2019-2549659195048884/ 
 

Share our GoFundMe page and watch our for regular updates with profiles of all the swimmers as well as their gruelling, yet joyful, training sessions.