Here are the facts about swimming the channel......

 

From Shakespere Beach in Dover to Cap Gris Nez near Calais it is

• 18.1 nautical miles

• 20.8 land miles

• 33.5km

 

The channel was first swum by Captain Matthew Webb in 1875. Since then approximately 1450 people have successfully swum the channel (thats less people than have summited mount everest)!

 

Channel swimmers are monitered by one of two bodies, the Channel swimming and Piloting Federation (CS&PF) or the Channel Swimming Association (CSA). I am swimming with the CS&PF.

 

Every swimmer must be accompanied by a pilot boat that is registered with one of the two bodies. My pilot will be Eddie Spelling on his boat Anastasia. He has his own website (http://www.lovechannelswimming.com/) where you can track swims as they happen.

 

The sea temperature varies across the swim season from 14-18 degrees. For a swim to comply with channel swimming rules (yep there are rules!) you are only allowed to wear a swimming costume and normal swimming hat and goggles. No wetsuits or super thick hats are allowed!

 

Throughout the swim you are not allowed to touch the boat or any other person. When you stop you must tread water. Throughout the swim you stop to feed around every hour initially and then every half hour. This tends to be delicious liquid feed (yummy!) and the occasional treat (jelly babies anyone!).

 

The channel has two very busy shipping lanes and so many big ships are about throughout the swim, hence the important of the pilot boat. Other hazards include debris in the water, hypothermia, jelly fish and the occasional basking shark!