Nathan Payas swimming

WSO Meets: Nathan Payas

Ever wanted to swim the Channel? We catch up with Nathan Payas, a singer and swimmer from Gibraltar who’s about to take on the English Channel to raise money for charity

How did you get into swimming?

My father taught me how to swim, and took my older brother and I to Gibraltar Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) where he’d swum and played water polo for many years. He’s currently coaching me for my Channel attempt, and is amazing at it.

I was a very promising swimmer as a young man, but I fell ill with glandular fever shortly before the Gibraltar Island Games in ‘95 and I was not well for that competition. The illness stayed with me for a very long time – so much so that I had to leave the squad. At the same time studies were starting to take over my life, and when I found music my life changed drastically – it took me on a whole different path.

Nathan Payas swimming

How are you training?

Training for the Channel inevitably means doing very many long swims. Some of the swims need to be over 6 or 7 hours long.

In June this year I completed my Swim Assessment with the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation, which involved swimming 6 hours in 16° water. That was probably the toughest swim I have done to date. Back in August, I swam a double round the Rock of Gibraltar in 6 hrs 33mins – approx. 23km. I believe this was the first Double round the Rock ever!

To swim the Channel you need to get used to being in the cold water, and know what your feeding requirements are and what your body is able to take in terms of sustenance. Training this long is completely different to doing shorter sessions, where you do not really learn much about what your body can do and what it needs – it is a completely new experience. Somehow, the body finds its rhythm: you surprise yourself with what your body can achieve and with your own endurance.

During the winter months I also had the fortune of being able to combine my training with the Gibraltar National Squad – I am grateful to all the swimmers and to head coach, Joe Santos, for welcoming me with open arms.

Nathan Payas swimming

Why did you swim the Strait of Gibraltar, and why are you contemplating the English Channel – are these personal goals?

I wanted to do the full Strait because after having completed two Round the Rock swims last year in just over 3 hours, I was confident that I could do it. It was the next logical step.

The English Channel is the real challenge due to the duration of the swim in colder waters. I guess I want to swim it because it is the most iconic open water swim globally – the “Everest” of open water swimming.

These swims are obviously personal goals, but they mean a lot more when money is raised for charity. My Strait swim raised just over £2000 for Pathway Through Pain, and my English Channel fund for The Calpe House is currently at over £1500 and growing – the Calpe House Trust provides accommodation and support for Gibraltans who have to receive medical treatment in London.

The substantial costs of hiring boats and crew, travel, accommodation etc. have been borne by myself and my family – all sponsorship to date has gone entirely to or has been set aside entirely for the respective charities.

The Channel swim is set for between the 7th and 14th September, although it is unlikely to happen before the 9th and could be delayed further after the 14th – the windows are all based on tides.

Nathan Payas swimming

How are you finding balance between your singing and your swimming?

At the moment I am doing very little singing as there are not enough hours in the day – I am a full time chartered accountant and father of two beautiful girls. Hopefully, I can start singing again soon once I have accomplished my swimming goals.

And you won’t be wearing a wetsuit for this?

Wetsuits are not allowed when swimming the English Channel – if the swim is to count. I shall be wearing only a small swimsuit!

To donate to Nathan’s fund via JustGiving, follow the link below:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nathan-payas-englishchannelswimattempt

Published on 9th September 2016 in Swimming

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