Former Dunedin man Dr Stanley Paris (70) has yet to decide if he will make a second attempt to become the oldest English Channel swimmer, after his first attempt failed at the weekend.
Dr Paris was forced to give up just over halfway to France, after seven hours and 40 minutes in the water, by painful cramps in his thighs and intense nausea.
He had hoped to complete the swim in about 15 hours, about two hours longer than he took for his last successful swim when he was 49.
In an email written two hours after the swim, the Florida resident said the nausea meant he was not absorbing much food, leading to a "serious nutrition shortage".
Tidal currents were also stronger than he had expected and although the weather was fine, the 12degC water was cooler than expected.
Some of the grease he had applied had washed off his limbs, and thigh cramps slowed his stroke rate significantly, leading to concern from his supporters about hypothermia.
Dr Paris said he had booked another swim date for September 4 - he will be 71 by then - but said getting motivated would be "very difficult". As well as the motivation, he wanted another calm day, water that was at least 13.5degC and easily digested foods.
He expects to make a decision in a fortnight's time.
