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Key Personnel
The Channel Swimming Association Vice-Presidents and Directors are drawn from all walks of life and several different countries. Between them, they have a wealth of experience. Some are now 'Retired' others are still actively engaged in their professional working lives.
But they have one thing in common: they are all actively involved in promoting the Sport of Cross-Channel Swimming. They work together to ensure that the names of those who are properly observed by the Association's Officials to have accomplished this feat of excellence can have their claim indisputably verified - and that the details are faithfully recorded in the Official Record Books of the Channel Swimming Association Ltd.
President
Michael Read- First succeeded in 1969 ... overtaking Des Renford to become King of the Channel® in 1979, and from 1984 he held his title with 31 Swims until overtaken again in 2000. In 2002 Mike notched up his 32nd swim to become joint Record-Holder and in 2004, at the age of 63, with a 15 hr 29minute swim from England to France he notched up his 33rd successful Swim and so regained the Association's title of King of the Channel®.
Vice-Presidents
M. Tresserras- In 1958, Montserrat became the first Spanish Swimmer to succeed ... and swam again in 1961. These days, 'Monty' visits England each year, and serves the Association as an Official Observer and Board member.
Bill Pickering - We are delighted to have Bill to represent us as a Vice-President. Bill made the 11th England to France crossing in 1955 in a new World Record time of 14 hours 6 minutes. He has been connected to swimming all his life.
Dr. Harry Huffaker- Although unsuccessful in a couple of attempts in 1964, Harry has continued to pioneer Channel swims in the Hawaii area ever since. He was inducted into the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame when the organisation was founded and was recently commended by the Senate of the State of Hawaii for his contribution to long distance swimming. A link to his page can be clicked on below:
Dr. Stanley Paris - Dr. Paris is the founder and President Emeritus of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in St. Augustine Florida, USA. The University is a proprietary institution, which encompasses the Institutes of Physical Therapy and of Occupational Therapy. The University located in St. AugustineFlorida. It also has programs in Japan, Iceland and Chile.
Born in New Zealand, Dr. Paris holds dual New Zealand and American citizenship. Since his emigration from New Zealand to the United States in 1966, Dr. Paris has served on the Board of Directors of the American Physical Therapy Association and a number of other professional and civic organizations. He founded the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association and the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy.
In sports Dr. Paris was twice appointed to the New Zealand Olympic Team Rome 1960 and Mexico City in 1968 as well as the Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh 1970.In 1985 he personally completed the World Championship Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. In 1986 he swam the English Channel, and has three times sailed across the North Atlantic and the Pacific and once around the world. He has also driven from England to India and back.
He is the oldest person to have attempted to swim the Channel having swum for 7hrs and 40mins in 2008 at age 71years. He made a 5 hour attempt again in 2009.
Ghislaine Van Vooran– Ghislaine first heard about the Channel and Channel Swimming when she met Pierre in 1957. Her husband became the first Belgian swimmer to cross the Channel in August 1963 and then again in 1965. To date he is still the only Belgian swimmer who has been successful in both directions.
On the same day as her husband’s first successful swim she gave birth to her son Peter (Now a director of the CSA Ltd.) She first became interested in the CSA – CSA ltd in 1966 when she came the first time to the annual dinner. Since 1974 she has been a full member and attended every dinner and is famous for her ability to sell raffle tickets.
In 1999 she donated the Pierre Van Vooren trophy in the name of her late husband to honour swimmers who succeed in adverse conditions, like her husband did in 1965.In 2001 she became a life member of the CSA.
Ray Cossum -Born next to the English Channel, the sea has dominated Ray’s life.He lived in Cheriton and was introduced to the Channel in the mid 1930’s.As a young man he served in submarines, including HM Submarines Tiptoe, Artful and Silent, serving in 3 classes and ending up as a submarine escape instructor.As a swimmer he competed with the likes of Gerry Forsberg (a fellow diver) in some of the Irish swims and swam France/England in 1971.
In the early 1960’s he was a member of the Folkestone Aqua club along with Sam Rockett and worked with the Folkestone Salvage Co and Trinity House.A salvage engineer and diver, blowing up or recovering wrecks and cargo, mainly in the Channel, was his speciality. He has worked on some of the biggest salvage and drilling operations in the Far East and around the world.
His greatest claim to fame has to be the attempted salvage in 1986/7 of the remaining gold ingots from the White Star line “Laurentic”.Whilst serving as a Royal Navy auxiliary cruiser in 1917 she was sunk by a mine, in 40m of water, off the mouth of Lough Swilly, Donegal.She was carrying 3211 gold ingots on board, worth today a staggering £1.25 billion.The wreck is now owned by the Cossum family and resting in clear waters serves as a must see wreck for all divers.
Directors
Peter Van Vooran - CSA Chairman:Peter was co-opted to the Board in 2007. It is true to say that Peter was born into Channel Swimming as his Mother was giving birth whilst his Father was swimming the Channel. A Gymnastics teacher in a secondary school in Belgium, he also teaches youngsters to become lifeguards. Peter played first class waterpolo, he also competed in lifesaving competitions and was national Champion in 1986. He is now one of the chief lifeguards along the Belgium coast. He swam two Channel relays, in 1983 and 1986. When he retired from active swimming he became a trainer in his local club, then head coach and finally Chairman and he led the club for 3 years as Chairman. He has been the CSA International representative for Belgium for a number of years.
Clive Burbage - CSA Vice Chairman:Clive was co-opted to the Board in 2002 and his appointment as a Director was confirmed at the following Annual General Meeting. As a current 'Challenger of the Channel' himself, he is well placed in the UKMidlands to give advice and support.
Alison Read - Joined the Board in 2004, taking over the general office duties. She is a graduate of Geography from SheffieldUniversity. She held the position of CSA Administration Secretary for two and a half years until the end of the 2006 season.
Dr. Julie Bradshaw MBE, (Admin Secretary)- Julie Bradshaw joined the Board in 2004, a PE teacher at Loughborough University, she entered the record books after swimming the English Channel using butterfly stroke. She completed the swim in 14 hours and 18 minutes. In 2004 she successfully led a 3-way team across in a new record time of 32 hours 31 minutes. Julie was awarded her MBE in the 2006 New Year's Honours list. In January 2007 Julie took on the responsibilities as CSA Administration Secretary.
M. Tresserras - Montserrat - already a Vice President and Honorary Life Member, joined the Board of Directors in 2003. She now plays an active role in the management of the Association.
Dr. Andrea Gellan- Child Protection Officer: Andrea was co-opted to the Board in 2005. She is SASA East District Open Water Convener and SASA National Convener, and Scottish representative on ASFGB Open Water Committee. In the BLDSA 2005 Annual Review she was awarded the Avril and Alan Mitchell (Veteran Swimmer of the year) trophy.
Dan Earthquake -Observer Liaison Officer: Dan was co-opted onto the board in 2007. He first swam in the sea aged 6 months, Dan now enjoys outdoor swimming all year round, and is currently Captain of the Birmingham Lifeguards and Secretary of Sandwell Lifeguard/Channel Swimming Club. A fan of casual cycling and climbing, Dan also fronts a band called ‘Seismic Secret’. In 2008 Dan took over responsibility as Observer Liaison Officer.
Dr. Susan Ractliffe- CSA Web Master: Susan was co-opted to the Board in 2007. She is a member of the committee of Nottingham Leander Masters Club and has been swimming competitively all her life. She became interested in open water swimming in 2004, participating in many open water races including a channel relay and a 6 Way World Record -Windermere relay.
Dr. Tamsin Lane- CSA Medical Officer: Tamsin was co-opted to the Board in 2009. A paediatric registrar, Tamsin works in Wolverhampton. At school she swam competitively to county level. At University she moved into lifesaving and competed for BirminghamUniversity becoming National ladies still water lifesaving champion in 2003. Lifesaving training led her to Swan Pool where she was introduced to open water swimming. This developed over the years and in 2008 she swam the winter swim season for the first time. She aims to be a member of a channel relay team in 2009.
Enrique Flores- Enrique was co-opted to the Board in 2009. A civil engineer by profession, he has wide experience of swimming, both at medium and long distance. In his youth he represented Mexico and was a record breaker in the open championships in Mexico and USA. He was founder, manager, treasurer and coach of the swimming squad for the Universidad de las Américas. He coached a squad of up to 20 swimmers. He swam the Channel in 2007.
Dr Stanley Paris - Dr. Paris is the founder and President Emeritus of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in St. Augustine Florida, USA. The University is a proprietary institution, which encompasses the Institutes of Physical Therapy and of Occupational Therapy. The University located in St. AugustineFlorida. It also has programs in Japan, Iceland and Chile.
Born in New Zealand, Dr. Paris holds dual New Zealand and American citizenship.Since his emigration from New Zealand to the United States in 1966, Dr. Paris has served on the Board of Directors of the American Physical Therapy Association and a number of other professional and civic organizations. He founded the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association and the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy.
In sports Dr. Paris was twice appointed to the New Zealand Olympic Team Rome 1960 and Mexico City in 1968 as well as the Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh 1970.In 1985 he personally completed the World Championship Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. In 1986 he swam the English Channel, and has three times sailed across the North Atlantic and the Pacific and once around the world. He has also driven from England to India and back.
He is the oldest person to have attempted to swim the Channel having swum for 7hrs and 40mins in 2008 at age 71years. He made a 5 hour attempt again in 2009.
Steve Franks – Steve Franks was co-opted to the Board in 2009.For a number of years he has served as an Association Observer.
