NELSON Mandela Bay swimming star Kyle Main has ambitious goals over the next two years – from the English Channel to New York.

He doesn’t quite plan to tackle the entire Atlantic Ocean, but he is preparing for a 36km solo swim of the gruelling English Channel in September next year, as well as a much tougher swim in the US the following year.

Main has already notched up an impressive number of solo swims and today takes on a 25km challenge at Bushmans River.

“I have to get as many solo swims under the belt as possible. It is good for me as a swimmer and for my reputation,” he said this week.

A determined Main said: “All the solo swims, including the English Channel, will prepare me to compete in New York’s Manhattan Island Challenge in 2011 – an intimidating 50km swim.”

Today, at Bushmans River, he is being accompanied by six crew members who will record and support him during the swim.

To make sure he is prepared, Main swims up to nine sessions a week up to a minimum of two hours a day, and follows a strict diet which is prepared by his wife Carey, a dietician.

Main, a swimming coach and former lifesaver and Ironman competitor, was planning to swim the English Channel in September this year but had to postpone his plans due to the birth of his daughter, Tayla, on September 7.

“Having a baby in the house is a big change, but I would not change it for anything.”

His other solo swims undertaken this year included the 15km Algoa Bay Bell Buoy double crossing and 24km up and down the Kowie River in May.

Today will be his third solo swim for the year and in April next year he will attempt a 30km swim in Algoa Bay, the location of which still needs to be decided.

Main said Carey usually accompanies him to most events, seconding him.

However, at today’s swim she will be there with Tayla simply to support him.