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Dubai father is first UAE resident to swim across English Channel
2010/09/06 10:22 |
After fighting currents and veering off-course, a Dubai businessman yesterday became the first UAE resident to swim across the English Channel.
Scott Ragsdale, a 39-year-old American who has lived in Dubai since 2008, completed the gruelling swim from England to France accompanied by a boat carrying a medic, an official from the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF) and his eldest daughter Marie, 15.
To read the full article, visit The National.
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Ragsdale attempts Channel swim
2010/09/03 11:07 |
naseba chairman hopes to complete the 48.3km from Dover to Calais in under 13 hours
Dubai: Self-confessed adrenalin junky Scott Ragsdale, 39, is attempting to become the first Dubai resident to swim the English Channel today. He began his mammoth task this morning at 7am UAE time, 3am in Dover, England, and hopes to finish the 35.5km distance (48.3km with currents) in under 13 hours. If successful, he should be finished by 9pm UAE time tonight.
The Florida-born chairman of Naseba group has already completed the Marathon des Sables week-long Sahara run, 23 marathons, two Ironman triathlons and a successful Mount Kilimanjaro summit — but he insisted this swim was far from guaranteed.
Ragsdale added: "I sincerely believe this will be mostly a mental challenge. Of course it's going to be cold, but what separates those who succeed and those who fail? ... I think it's going to be one mental test, I hope to pass".
To ready the full article, visit Gulf News.
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The English Channel challenge
2010/09/03 10:54 |
JEDDAH: A single individual, Scott Ragsdale, connects the unlikely pastimes of falling off a cliff, collecting Cuban cigars and running across the Sahara Desert. As chairman of the naseba group in Dubai, his organization promotes and hosts commercially oriented summits targeting executive level attendees across multiple industries, Ragsdale admits to being something of a driven man.
For his latest physical challenge, he is taking on the English Channel, hoping to swim the 33 km from Dover to Calais Thursday (Sept. 2). The first successful cross-channel swim was in 1875 by Englishman Captain Webb. Since then many have attempted the feat. However, 70 percent or more have been defeated by the combination of cold water and strong tides that necessitate the challenger actually means has to swim up to 40 km in the attempt.
“I want to experience the cold, pain, and suffering and see if I am physically and especially mentally strong enough to make this happen,” Ragsdale told Arab News on Monday. The English Channel swimmer is part of an exclusive club. “On Sept. 2, I will do everything in my power to make sure I join this club,” he said.
To read the full article, visit Arab News.
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Dubai resident attempts to swim the English Channel
2010/08/31 09:02 |
American born Scott Ragsdale and Dubai resident is planning to swim the English Channel unassisted diving in the chilly waters in Dover on September 3rd. Scott spoke with Dubai Today from Monaco where he has been training for the forthcoming swim.
To listen to the interview, tune in on Dubai Eye 103.8 for the full podcast
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Scott Ragsdale set to become the first Dubai resident to swim the English Channel
2010/08/31 08:56 |
At 3am on September 3, Scott Ragsdale, Chairman of naseba group, will begin the biggest challenge of his life, to swim the English Channel.
The swim will start in Dover, England and if successful, finish on the beaches near Calais, France.
“I want to experience the cold, pain, and suffering and see if I am mentally and physically strong enough to make this happen. Only 20 – 30% of the swimmers who start the swim finish successfully, thus the English Channel swimmer is part of an exclusive club. On September 3rd, I will do everything in my power to make sure I join this club” said Ragsdale.
A boat with a representative from the Channel Swimming Association to officiate the swim, six friends and family to feed and support him will follow Scott as he swims.
The distance between the English and French coastline is 22 miles but with the combination of the tides and strong currents, Scott expects to swim at least 30 miles. The swim can be followed live on Ragsdale's blog.
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