The following news item appeared in the Blue Mountains Gazette on August 23

Disappointed:  Geoff Evans was unable to make progress swimming the English Channel in high seas last month.

A Warrimoo resident was beaten by the elements in his attempt to swim the English Channel last month.

Battling high winds and choppy conditions, 44-year-old Geoff Evans managed about a third of the distance needed.

Geoff began his swim at 11pm on July 27—the third time he was called to start after earlier attempts were cancelled due to wind changes.

The father of two said he had a hard time keeping the regulation three metres away from the boat. with his body dropping lower in the water, the pilot told him he was going backwards.

"I lost any confidence I had left and felt it was time to get out," he said.

"To say the least, it was a disappointing trip back to shore but it was an adventure shared with so many people."

Geoff is far from alone in unsuccessfully attempting to swim the Strait of Dover. According to the Channel Swimming Association, only 18% of those trying to cross the strait under the official guidelines are successful.

But Geoff said he doesn't think "the itch has been scratched yet" when it comes to his aspirations to swim the Channel.

With simple adjustments like stroke count, and alternating the side of the boat, a successful passage could have been achieved," he said.