At 1:33pm on August 9, 2009, Raymond Gandy, a member on the Board of Directors of American Eagle Federal Credit Union, entered the record books by successfully swimming across the English Channel. Gandy swam 21 miles from Dover, England to Cap Griz Nez, France in 13 hours and 34 minutes. The 48-year old Coventry, RI resident endured a grueling physical and mental test against fatigue, hunger, jellyfish, tides, ship traffic, and water temperatures of 64 degrees.

In order to be recognized as an official Channel swim, Gandy was not allowed to wear a wet suit or have any direct physical contact with his guide boat or people while he was in the water. Gandy’s equipment consisted of a bathing suit, swim cap, ear plugs, nose plugs, goggles, sunscreen, zinc oxide, Vaseline, and glow sticks. He was able to communicate with his team and receive food and liquids by rope from his guide boat.

The inspiration for Gandy’s swim began in 1992, when his wife Donna was diagnosed with Leukemia. Seventeen years later, Donna, their daughter Jessica, along with family and friends provided the final motivation and support for Ray to realize his dream. Through sponsorships and private donations from businesses and individuals, Gandy’s swim raised $5,585 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Gandy has been an accomplished swimmer since his teenage years. He swam competitively in High School in St. Albans, West Virginia and at Clarion University in Clarion, PA. Gandy has made previous long distance swims across Lake Champlain, Long Island Sound, Tampa Bay, Lake George, and more.

Since the first documented crossing of the English Channel in 1875, only about 1,058 individuals have made successful solo swims of the Channel. To learn more about Ray Gandy’s swim of the English Channel, go to www.rayswims.com and the Facebook Group, Ray Gandy Swims the Channel.

Gandy has served on the Board at American Eagle FCU since 1999, and is currently the second Vice Chairman of the Board. He is employed as the Chief Information Officer at UTC Power in South Windsor, CT.