George Washington University Athletics
GW Swimming Alumnus Bill Shipp ('82) to Swim English Channel
9/18/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Swimming and Diving
Bill's English Channel Adventure | Waves of Hope
George Washington men's swimming alumnus Bill Shipp ('82) will take to the open water this weekend for an impressive feat - to complete the 2014 English Channel Swim.
The English Channel is a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France. The English Channel Swim, which traces back to the latter part of the 19th century and is authenticated through the Channel Swimming Association (Ltd) and the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation, is a 20.6 mile cross-Channel swim in the Strait of Dover.
A prostate cancer survivor, Shipp will embark on the Channel Swim just four years after his diagnosis. He enters the event with the hope of raising donations for his charity, the Waves of Hope Fund.
"Many open water swims are done to raise money for charities, so it only seemed natural to establish my own fund to support some great causes close to home," Shipp said. "I find that the charitable aspect gives purpose to my swims."
Waves of Hope is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to providing support for organizations that offer programs and assistance to people in need with the following areas: wellness and recovery, children in need, arts organizations and economic development and sustainability.
A five-year open water swimming veteran from Mitchellville, Maryland, Shipp has competed in several races to prepare for the nearly 21-mile task - most notably when he tackled the 4.4 mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim and the Kingdom 10-mile swim on Lake Memphremagog in Vermont shortly after his prostate cancer surgery in the summer of 2011.
"I underwent surgery in July of 2011, and being able to set my sights on those two races was an important part of my recovery," said Shipp. "Thankfully I was able to get back on track and never look back."
Ship has completed a double crossing of the Chesapeake Bay, the 15-mile Border Buster swim from Vermont to Canada around Province Island, the 15-mile Swim Across the Sound from Long Island, New York to Bridgeport, Connecticut and the 25-mile In Search of Memphre swim between Newport, Vermont and Magog, Quebec. In July Shipp took home first place in the eight-mile Boston Light Swim in Massachusetts. He is also a part of the Arundel Breakfast Club (ABC), a group that organizes weekly morning swims and arranges open-water events for its members.
Shipp's Channel Swim start date is heavily dependent on the weather, but he hopes to hit the water on Friday, Sept. 19. With a goal of 12 hours for completion, Shipp's swim duration is contingent on the conditions of the water.
"I have a great deal of respect for the Channel Swim and those who have completed it," Shipp said. "I have prepared and trained and I am ready to give it my best. Each of the swims I have accomplished has presented their own unique challenges, and each one has helped me prepare for the Channel."
Shipp previously held or was a part of seven GW records: 100 free (47.80); 200 free (1:45.20); 500 free (4:51.60); 400 free relay (3:13.30); 800 free relay (7:11.74); 200 IM (2:02.39); 400 medley relay (3:34.15).
Supporters can follow Shipp's English Channel Adventure blog, donate to his Waves of Hope charity, and track his swim via the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation.
