GPS Tracking Device Records Swimmer’s Trip Across English Channel
Californian Mark Stone just finished a solo, marathon swim across the English Channel. Yet throughout the 13-hour odyssey in deep, choppy seas, he was never alone.
The Santa Cruz county supervisor, who had begun training for the feat only two years ago, had his coach, a friend, and his wife beside him in a boat, and the world as his audience: through online social networking and real-time GPS tracking technology.
As Stone, 52, progressed along the 21-mile England-to-France course, intermittent text reports were electronically relayed by his support team on the boat to Twitter and Stone’s Facebook page. An active GPS tracking device on the boat received satellite signals to determine the team’s exact location. A graphic depiction of Stone’s journey could be seen on a map, live, through Internet interface.
Twitter and Facebook are attracting new users at astounding rates. People use the networks to connect with friends and family or to find new friends, by sharing thoughts and images online.
GPS tracking is a way of locating an object on Earth with a device that captures signals from satellites in space. Real-time units show on a remote computer where that object is with “hits” at a predetermined time span. Passive GPS tracking is used in vehicle tracking. The devices record location data for later download and viewing.
It’s only been about 15 years that GPS tracking has been in wide public use. Innovative applications are being discovered frequently. GPS tracking of a marathon swimmer is a new, novel, approach.
The English Channel has been nicknamed “the swimmer’s Mt. Everest.” Crossing it in a swim suit and cap has been a challenge for humans since Captain Matthew Webb of the United Kingdom accomplished it in 1875. The busy shipping lane, which is densely populated on both shores, when compared to other international waterways, is relatively narrow with the least dangerous currents. Yet many attempts have been abandoned due to fog, strong winds and rough seas.
English Channel swimmers are usually accompanied by escort boats, because the swim is long and much of it is done at night. The boat is often the swimmer’s only reference point. One of the rules of the crossing is that the swimmer is not to be touched by human hand. Provisions, communication and rest take place with a reasonable distance maintained between athlete and the support crew on the boat.
Stone got in the water in Dover, England about 3 p.m., Monday, July 13, local time and arrived at his destination at Wissant, near Cap Gris Nez, France about 4 a.m. Tuesday, July 14. He swam a good part of the channel in the dark. The water temperature was 59 degrees and its depth about 150 feet.
Cold water temperatures, tides pulling the swimmer off his path, and stinging jellyfish contribute to the odyssey. With those factors the swim – 21 miles as the crow flies – stretches to about 30 miles.
About every half hour Stone stopped for a minute to rest, and while treading water, communicated to those on the guide boat his mood, physical strength and conditions of the swim. They, in turn, posted to the public online.
The Twitter reports and GPS Tracking made fans feel almost as if they were witnessing it in person. For example, one Twitter communication: “We can smell Calais, France. Newly-turned soil and baking bread. But we’re still an hour away.”
The last entry was an online report early Tuesday. GPS tracking maps showed Stone safely on the rocky, French shore at 4:04 a.m. The GPS tracking also allows Stone to keep a permanent and accurate record of his swim, for the history books and his own recollection.
“He’s feeling tired, but very pleased,” said Stone’s coach in an electronic message to the world public. “He and his crew will be celebrating at the local Boar’s Head pub.”
Stone started training for the English Channel swim about 2 ½ years ago. He swam about 17 miles a week for practice, both in a community pool and in San Francisco Bay.
GPS tracking technology will likely be used in many future swims across the English Channel. It is estimated that about one third of the people who attempt to swim across it, are successful.
Tags: Facebook, GPS Tracking, Mark Stone, Swimmer, Twitter
No related posts.
