Colorado Open Water Swimmers (COWS) Break the World Record as the Youngest Relay Team in History to Successfully Swim Across the English Channel

Six twelve year olds, their coach, friends and family are elated at this amazing feat!

DENVER, CO – August 9, 2007 – The Colorado Open Water Swimmers (COWS) were successful today in their attempt to break the world record for crossing the English Channel. The group of six twelve-year old swimmers became the youngest relay team in history to complete the 23.5 mile swim from Dover, England, to Cap Griz Nez, France, which actually becomes roughly 30 miles when you allow for current. Swimmers were led by boat Captain Neil Streeter who has over ten years of experience leading Channel swimmers across the Channel, and their coach Ms. Voni Oerman, who has swum the English Channel. Each swimmer is on a competitive year round swim team and has achieved Junior Olympic qualifying times Water temperature in the Channel was a very chilly 64.58 degrees Fahrenheit. The team completed the swim in 9 hours and 58 minutes – their original goal was to complete it in 15-18 hours.

The concept to create a team of young swimmers and try to break the world’s record had been the brainchild of team member Sara Nash’s father last year. He was a swimmer in college. He joined forces with Wyatt Oerman’s mother and together they built the team. This past April, Kevin Nash passed away during surgery. The team became determined to fulfill his dream and accomplish the goal of breaking the world record in his memory.

The COWS had a vigorous training regimen:
• All swimmers practiced an average of 4 days a week in a pool. Practices consist of swimming between 5,000 – 7,000 yards per day.
• Swimmers began cold water training April through August 2007.
• Training without wetsuits began in April at various Colorado Front Range reservoirs with water temperatures between 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Ages of Swimmers:
• Wyatt Oerman 07/23/1995
• Kianna Lee 12/26/1994
• Maggie Cyr 03/16/1995
• Sara Nash 06/29/1995
• Erik Biernat 02/21/1995
• Tim Soderlund 08/28/1994

MEDIA INTERVIEWS:
The Colorado Open Water Swimmers will remain in London through Sunday, August 12th. Spokesperson Jack Nuanes, of Blue Moon Works, Inc. is available at the contact information provided above.

The swimmers will return to Denver, CO individually with their families throughout the week of August 12th and will be available for group photos and press meetings beginning on August 18th. Please coordinate with Lauri Harrison at (303) 885-4200 or
LH@LauriHarrison.com.

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Contact Information

Lauri Harrison

Public Relations

Blue Moon Works, Inc.

Contact via E-mail