Camp Sherman swimmer conquers Channel

Tom Landis enters the English Channel from a

fishing boat.

Tom Landis of Camp Sherman likes a little challenge with his summer vacation.

In July the talented swimmer took on a relay swim of the English Channel with "Team Gaffney."

"We had two relay teams of six swimmers each, eight from Portland and four from Central Oregon," Landis said. "Leaving Dover, England, at 10 a.m. we started across the channel with two fishing boats and a media boat.

"Each swimmer was in the water for one hour and it took our team slightly over 14 hours to reach Cape Blanc-Nez on the French coast," said Landis. "Cap, ear plugs and swimsuit are your outfit. No grease is used by relay teams," commented the swimmer.

Grease is a traditional insulator against the frigid waters of the Channel.

"I was exuberant and enjoyed my three turns in the cold, 60 degree channel water," Landis said. "The first five minutes was very cold but then I adjusted and got used to the cold water. We reached the French coast shortly after midnight and celebrated on the beach."

The Gaffney Foundation, hopeful for better understanding and research about Down's syndrome, supported this undertaking. Twenty-three-year-old Karen Gaffney of Portland has Down's and swam with Team 2 (Tom's group) in the successful channel effort.

"The hope is to raise consciousness about Down's syndrome and offer full inclusion for people with this condition," said Landis.

Donations from business and private individuals contributed over $50,000 to the Gaffney Foundation, according to Landis.

Asked why he attempted the swim, Tom replied, "For adventure. It also gave me a trip to Europe."

Back in Camp Sherman, Tom works out with the Central Oregon Masters Association (COMA) at Bend's Juniper Aquatic Center two or three times a week.

The former Los Angeles County lifeguard ranks nationally in the top 10 Masters swimmers (55-59 years old) for 100, 200, 400 and 1,500-meter freestyle events. He ranks fourth in the world for the 1,500 meter freestyle event.

Landis was first overall in his age group for Oregon's Open Water Series of seven races. He also finished second in his age group at the U.S. National three kilometer swimming championship.

Next year will be a big push for Landis as he turns 60.

"My goals are to challenge some of the times in the 60-64 Masters age group for swimmers," he said.

Before that, however, Landis will be off for some surfing in Fiji.