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St John man to attempt to swim from VI to USVI

- Jeff Miller may take on challenge later this month
Jeff Miller, a longtime resident of St John in the US Virgin will be attempting to swim the Sir Francis Drake Channel, from the [British] Virgin Islands to the US Virgin Islands (USVI) possibly later this month. Photo: Facebook
With the help of two support kayaks and one power boat, Jeff Miller plans to leave Virgin Gorda at daybreak, and swim to the eastern tip of St John. He expects the 15.5 mile journey to take anywhere from eight to 12 hours. Photo: Photo: Google Map
With the help of two support kayaks and one power boat, Jeff Miller plans to leave Virgin Gorda at daybreak, and swim to the eastern tip of St John. He expects the 15.5 mile journey to take anywhere from eight to 12 hours. Photo: Photo: Google Map
CRUZ BAY, St John, USVI- Jeff Miller, a longtime resident of St John in the US Virgin will be attempting to swim the Sir Francis Drake Channel, from the [British] Virgin Islands to the US Virgin Islands (USVI) possibly later this month.

According to Virgin Islands Daily News on May 9, 2023, Miller, who has been training for the marathon swim for the past five months, said the idea to swim the 15.5-mile stretch of water south of Tortola has been on his mind for a couple years.

Swimming for charity

The swim challenge will also be used as an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for two nonprofits close to his heart, Team River Runner and the St John Cancer Fund.

According to the same publication, it was in 2016 that Miller became the first person to swim around St John, covering just under 23 miles in 12 hours. He raised more than $12,000, which was split between the charities.

Miller has not set a date for his swim but hopes that the weather and current conditions will be favorable in late May, as three members of the Team River Runner will be in St John to participate in the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim. He would like to involve them as a part of his support crew for the Drake Channel swim.

With the help of two support kayaks and one power boat, Miller plans to leave Virgin Gorda at daybreak, and swim to the eastern tip of St John. He expects the journey to take anywhere from eight to 12 hours, Virgin Islands Daily News reported.

35 Responses to “St John man to attempt to swim from VI to USVI”

  • Jac (10/05/2023, 19:50) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Swim baby swim
    • Remember (11/05/2023, 20:47) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      You are given one life to live. If you choose risky things and something happens to you, it is ONLY your fault.
      • Nate (12/05/2023, 10:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Let the man do what he wants to his body. The outcome will lay squarely on him. If he makes it, GOOD, if he doesn't, GOOD. It's his and his alone decision. Case closed.
    • Lucifer morningstar (15/05/2023, 08:24) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

      Placing my bet on the sharks they love w**** meat.

  • WOW (10/05/2023, 19:52) Like (31) Dislike (1) Reply
    Good cause “mad man” all the best will be watching
  • herbs power (10/05/2023, 20:04) Like (14) Dislike (19) Reply
    Good luck with you and them sharks. Hopefully there belly is full on that day.
    • the rock (11/05/2023, 04:17) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
      Good Bro, doing it for a good cause, God got your back, you can and will do it!
    • Really Now (11/05/2023, 16:54) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @herbs power he has more chance get shot or hit by a scooter than getting bit by a shark in the VI especially on tola
  • 90210 (10/05/2023, 21:08) Like (16) Dislike (41) Reply
    What a way to raise funds for a good cause. God must be up there shaking he head telling The Angels ayo come quick n see this nonsense.
  • shark (10/05/2023, 21:35) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Shark shark sharks, may be you would be well protected. That's a long stretch are there going to be break times?
    • @shark (11/05/2023, 10:00) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
      Do you know that quite a few BVIslanders swam from Tortola to St. John or vice versa in days of old? Swimming the SFD Channel is nothing new at all.
      • Linda (11/05/2023, 12:53) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
        @@shark, yes they swam but they were young and healthy. Many elderly people's hearts are not strong as they think and then it's too late.
  • Jim (10/05/2023, 21:51) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mr. Miller, did you seriously think this through? 7 years ago in 2016 is not the age you are playing with now in 2023. People cheering you on are adventure seekers riding on your heartstrings. If something were to happen to you, how would they feel? Yes, you have been practicing and I respect the reason you want to do this, but am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea? You can do a FUNDRAISING DAY allowing people to come with the purpose of donating to your causes. I am your age sir and a very good swimmer but I think swimming this distance may do some damage to you. Good luck with whatever you decide and be safe. For the nay-sayers who think I am being paranoid I am not, I am just being realistic. Life is short so why mess with it now when your body is more fragile?
  • Mash One (10/05/2023, 23:38) Like (4) Dislike (6) Reply
    Hi I want to do this with you. I am over 70 years and I will get there before you.
  • Mash One (10/05/2023, 23:42) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Please get in touch with me and we can do it together.If not I will love to do it from the bluff on Tortola to any point on St John
  • Nice.. (11/05/2023, 06:10) Like (10) Dislike (3) Reply
    All the best.. I think u will have a Boat riding along side you, just in case..
    • Madussa (11/05/2023, 13:03) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      A boat riding beside you will NOT stop a heart attack! Remember, you are responsible for yourself, and don't let people egg you on. Do you not know what the strain of swimming 8-12 hours at your age will do to you? Ask any reliable doctor and even that is no guarantee. People are trying to look out for you Mr. Miller. Okay, I'm done. May the force be with you.
  • CRAZY THINGS THEY DO (11/05/2023, 08:04) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    ALL THAT COLOR PEOPLE CARE ABOUT IS BEING IN THE GINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS AS BEING THE FIRST TO DO WHATEVER.
    LIFE DON’T MEAN NOTHING TO THEM. SORRY, I’M BLACK AND FOR ME “SAFETY FIRST”.
    I PREFER TO BE A COWARD AND STAY ALIVE ANOTHER DAY.
    • safety first (11/05/2023, 17:01) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      @crazy things they do - first he can swim around the BVI and still won’t be enough for a Guiness record. You mentioned safety first and I’m with you; hope when you go on those gogo boats to Willy t and white bay you were life jackets even though they’re not so fashionable
  • Border control (11/05/2023, 09:11) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    First prize a new t-shirt
  • crazy (11/05/2023, 09:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    All he have to do is from the peak St.John and swim across to Frenchman's cay. That's something interesting to do, wish him well.
  • Real Talk (11/05/2023, 10:22) Like (9) Dislike (8) Reply
    Before you all set of pussy cats encourage the man you all want shark to eat him my goodness
    • @Real Talk (11/05/2023, 10:53) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply

      100% agrees with you. That goes to show you exactly how some of these slow simpletons on the Island thinks. Making jokes about the man getting eaten by sharks. LOL, they need to load the simpletons on a boat and toss them overboard in the channel and a fake shark fin pop out of the water, bet plenty of them will be running on water trying to reach land. You are so right nothing but a bunch of pu*$$!£$.

      • Linda (11/05/2023, 20:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @@ Real Talk. There is no reasoning with a MORON like you. You are the slow simpleton and pu*$$!E here. Why don't you do it? Encouraging a senior citizen to maybe kill himself is cruel. There are so many other ways to raise funds without endangering his life. MORON!!
  • He will be just fine (11/05/2023, 10:39) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    I would only say, a whole lot of you need to travel outside of the BVI more often. There will be a crew on a boat sailing along side or behind him in the event that something goes wrong. I think it is a good cause and wishes him the very best.
    • Greg (11/05/2023, 13:13) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      @He will be just fine. I do get out of the BVI a lot and travel extensively, so that statement was uncalled for and insulting. How do you know he will be just fine? I hope he will be fine or all of you will be made to look like overzealous fools, encouraging this man to do it just to make the Guinness Book of Records. SMDH!
  • do it (11/05/2023, 10:59) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    on a day when the wind driven & tidal currents are pushing you westerly towards St. John. Best timing is on a day when high tide is around dawn and low tide is in the afternoon. Also stronger tidal currents during full and new moon periods for several days before and after each moon phase.
  • AH GO SAY IT AGAIN (11/05/2023, 14:07) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    MST OF THESE WHITE PEOPLE , JUST LOVE ARE T
    THRILL SEEKERS , THE WILL GO INTO THE WILDERNESS KNOWING THAT THEY CAN POSSIBLY ENCOUNTER A WILD ANIMAL ( A PREDATOR ) YET THEY WILL GO HIKING WITHOUT ANYTHING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES , SO AM NOT SUPPRISED , BUT I HOPE HE HAS PEOPLE AROUND HIM WITH SCUBA GEARS AND EQUIPMENT TO DEAL WITH SHARKS , JUST IN CASE , AS A SAFETY PRECAUTION ,
  • home boy (11/05/2023, 16:34) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    The slaves swam from St. John to Tortola back in the days for there freedom, because the slaves were free in Tortola before those in St. John , our ancestors did it for there freedom.
  • @ home boy (11/05/2023, 17:40) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    WERE YOU THERE ?
  • Arrion (11/05/2023, 20:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This man is not a fish so should not be acting like one. Even IF he succeeds, he will be worn out for days.
  • good luck (11/05/2023, 23:16) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    And be careful with them heavy currents out there by the bluff
  • Eldread (15/05/2023, 10:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My friend igwe will have to give him some swim lesson


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