More than four hours logged since beginning his swim, Alex slices through a reflection of the noon sun. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Alex says some days he consumes between 6,000 and 8,000 calories, and he likes to have a big breakfast before long swims. When asked if he eats everything in the house, his older sister Becca replied, "Pretty much." Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Alex stretches early Saturday morning, May 9, as his friend Daniel Ward and mother Cheryl ready a canoe to follow him on his swim. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Alex dives into East Lake from the dock of a family friend who lives in the Tipton Lakes addition. One lap across East Lake, North Lake, West Lake and back takes Alex an hour and a half or less. Alex dives back into the water after taking a break when his body gave out on him after the fifth hour of an eight-hour swim. He suspects the glitch was caused by not having eaten enough and for swimming so many yards during weekly practice. He hopes to swim the English Channel in under ten hours, but he'll be happy with any time just as long as he makes it to France. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Despite swimming for miles and miles on long training day, distance is not one of the high school swimming categories he competes in. "He's not a true distance swimmer," says Columbus North swim coach Jim Sheridan, "But he has the true heart of an adventurer." Alex Harris begins his training swim early Saturday morning, May 9, leaving from the dock of a family friend that lives in Tipton Lakes. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel. His arms constantly moving overhead, Alex greases his neck to prevent welts. "It's disgusting," he says.
Alex swims under the Tipton Lakes Blvd. Bridge with sister Becca and father Don at his side. Family and friends take turns following Alex throughout the day, keeping an eye on him and helping navigate any potential hazzards. He takes short breaks, occasionally swimming over to the boat to sip grape juice. But he tries to keep breaks to a minimum. A one minute break in the English Channel can mean being swept back 80 yards. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel for his senior project as a fund raiser for the Columbus Park Foundation Youth Scholarship Fund.
With mother Cheryl and sister Bekah paddling a canoe beside him, Alex traverses the canal connecting North Lake and East Lake in the fourth hour of an epic training day May 9. To qualify for the English Channel, Alex swam for six hours straight two weeks earlier. He hopes to make it from England to France in under ten hours. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
After spending hours in lake water, Alex goes home and gets into more water - a hot bath - for another hour. But his tub isn't always filled with relaxing warm suds. On days he doesn't swim in the lake, he takes half hour ice baths to help prepare his body for the chilly English Channel (which should be in the mid-fifties when he makes his attempt). He passes the time in the tub with a good book. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
More than four hours logged since beginning his swim, Alex slices through a reflection of the noon sun. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Alex says some days he consumes between 6,000 and 8,000 calories, and he likes to have a big breakfast before long swims. When asked if he eats everything in the house, his older sister Becca replied, "Pretty much." Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Alex stretches early Saturday morning, May 9, as his friend Daniel Ward and mother Cheryl ready a canoe to follow him on his swim. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Alex dives into East Lake from the dock of a family friend who lives in the Tipton Lakes addition. One lap across East Lake, North Lake, West Lake and back takes Alex an hour and a half or less. Alex dives back into the water after taking a break when his body gave out on him after the fifth hour of an eight-hour swim. He suspects the glitch was caused by not having eaten enough and for swimming so many yards during weekly practice. He hopes to swim the English Channel in under ten hours, but he'll be happy with any time just as long as he makes it to France. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Despite swimming for miles and miles on long training day, distance is not one of the high school swimming categories he competes in. "He's not a true distance swimmer," says Columbus North swim coach Jim Sheridan, "But he has the true heart of an adventurer." Alex Harris begins his training swim early Saturday morning, May 9, leaving from the dock of a family friend that lives in Tipton Lakes. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel. His arms constantly moving overhead, Alex greases his neck to prevent welts. "It's disgusting," he says.
Alex swims under the Tipton Lakes Blvd. Bridge with sister Becca and father Don at his side. Family and friends take turns following Alex throughout the day, keeping an eye on him and helping navigate any potential hazzards. He takes short breaks, occasionally swimming over to the boat to sip grape juice. But he tries to keep breaks to a minimum. A one minute break in the English Channel can mean being swept back 80 yards. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel for his senior project as a fund raiser for the Columbus Park Foundation Youth Scholarship Fund.
With mother Cheryl and sister Bekah paddling a canoe beside him, Alex traverses the canal connecting North Lake and East Lake in the fourth hour of an epic training day May 9. To qualify for the English Channel, Alex swam for six hours straight two weeks earlier. He hopes to make it from England to France in under ten hours. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.
After spending hours in lake water, Alex goes home and gets into more water - a hot bath - for another hour. But his tub isn't always filled with relaxing warm suds. On days he doesn't swim in the lake, he takes half hour ice baths to help prepare his body for the chilly English Channel (which should be in the mid-fifties when he makes his attempt). He passes the time in the tub with a good book. Columbus North High School student Alex Harris is training to swim the English Channel.