July 9, 2026
Birch Bay, Washington

Proud Papa Part III

HE MADE IT- Official Time 10 hrs-48 mins.

This morning my son, Michael Sean Hodel, successfully completed his English Channel swim from Dover to France.

As I understand it, Channel rules are simple and beautifully understated: you reach France, touch the rock, climb back aboard your escort boat, and then—if you’re lucky—celebrate with a little champagne before heading back to Dover.

Michael’s escort boat, Pegasus, carried his wife Joyce, who kept family and friends updated along the way. From Birch Bay, I spent the morning watching that yellow tracker arrow creep toward the French coast and hoping it was indeed Mike in the water behind it. Then came the word:

He made it.

Needless to say, his Proud Papa is very proud indeed.