Swimmer crosses English Channel; Poestenkill native goes 30 miles in cold, choppy water in charity swim.(Capital Region)

Byline: KATE PERRY Staff Writer

Poestenkill native Hendrik Meerman can count himself as one of the elite now that he's successfully swum the English Channel.

It's a feat achieved by only 35 to 40 percent of swimmers who attempt it, said Meerman, who lives in Santa Cruz, Calif., and works as a biochemical engineer. During his Aug. 30 swim, Meerman, 43, choked on diesel fumes, shook with cold and "fed the fish" repeatedly when queasiness evicted energy drinks from his stomach.

But he said it was all worth it.

He knows now that he can swim in open waters in the pitch black of night. He knows he can stroke his way through the world's busiest …