Special Olympics Northern California's Sam Silver challenges the English Channel — and himself
In 2002, Special Olympics Northern California (USA) athlete Sam Silver attempted to swim across the English Channel. Although he did not complete the 21-mile trek from Dover, England, to Calais, France, he showed the heart of a fearless champion. Silver joined Special Olympics five years ago to become a better swimmer, and he ended becoming so much more.
 |
Sam Silver gazes at the scenery as he prepares for his first attempt across the 21-mile English Channel from Dover, England to Calais, France. [Photo by Bob Placak, courtesy the RCP Tiburon Mile Open Water Swim Web site] |
World-class swimmer Bob Placak founded the RCP Tiburon Mile Open Water Swim for the benefit of Special Olympics in 1999. As the event has raised more than US$50,000 to date, two years ago Placak decided to visit a Special Olympics Northern California swim meet to see the fruits of his labor. He was taken aback by what he saw: a raw swimming talent named Sam Silver who was quickly outstripping his indoor pool confines.
Placak introduced himself and asked Silver if he would be interested in doing something a bit more intrepid: swimming in the open water. Excited at the challenge, Silver immediately got in touch with the South End Rowing Club in San Francisco, a group that swims in the San Francisco Bay. Silver took to the open water like he had fins, and even copped a snazzy nickname: "Sampedo — The Iceman" for his love of the chilly 55-63° F (13-17° C) Bay waters. Silver commenced swimming in various Bay Area open water swims, including Placak's own RCP Tiburon Mile in October of 2000.
 |
Special Olympics Northern California athlete Sam "Sampedo the Iceman" Silver. Below, Silver attempts to swim the 21- mile English Channel. (photos by Julie Marshall) |
 |
Silver's success and acclimation to the cold, open water got Placak thinking big, English Channel big. Silver was all for the grueling nautical excursion and soon was in intense training consisting of long hours of swimming in the Bay and working out with the South End Rowing Club on a daily basis. In May 2002, Silver's hard work paid off when he qualified to try the English Channel by swimming a grueling six hours and five minutes in the San Francisco Bay (qualifying time is six hours). With the generous support of the community and friends, much of Silver's trip was paid for.
Silver was scheduled to swim during the window of 14-20 June 2002, depending on the tides. Since safe water conditions were paramount, he had to wait until 20 June, the last possible date given, to go for it. Early that morning Placak, Silver's father Saul and coach Pedro Ordenes jumped in the pilot boat and Silver jumped into the cold English Channel. But swimming these treacherous waters is a monumentally rough task, and about a third of the way through, Silver started complaining of a severe stomachache. When the condition worsened, he had to stop.
Said Placak: "He has grown not only as a swimmer, but also as a human being in his endeavor to cross the English Channel. I am very proud of him." Courageous as ever, Silver assures us that "the Channel hasn't gotten the best of me. I am going to conquer the Channel. I will be back!"
Visit the RCP Tiburon Mile Web site for more on Sam Silver's English Channel crossing attempt.
Reprinted from Spirit magazine, Quarter 1, 2003, by Julie Marshal, Event Coordinator for RCP Events, Inc.
|
