Channel Questions

Frequently Asked Channel Questions

The following is provided for your assistance - it should not be considered as gospel - apply the information as you see fit. And please, feel free to add your suggestions.

How far is it?
The distance of the English Channel is 23.69 land miles across from the White Cliffs of Dover at Shakespeare Beach in England to Cap Gris-Nez in France. You will most likely wind up swimming between 30 and 40 miles because the tides will push you from side to side a little. Your path may look like the letter 'S', the number '2' or any combination. Most likely, it won't be a straight line. (Only the Hovercraft takes that route.)

Will you have an escort boat?
There will be an escort boat right next to you from which your crew will give you hot liquids and encouragement. The boat pilot will plot the course during the swim.

How cold is the water?
The water temperature will be about 60 degrees. Since you are only allowed to wear one bathing suit, one bathing cap, goggles and grease, you may need to add your own "wetsuit" under your skin by gaining weight. Another (better) way you can learn to combat the cold is by swimming in cold water, known as acclimating. This takes some time. Get used to swimming in water in the low to mid-50s wearing only wearing a bathing suit and a latex bathing cap, and with little shivering afterwards.

How long will the swim take?
The range is from 7 hours, 17 minutes to 26 hours, 50 minutes. Obviously your conditioning and swimming ability play major roles in your overall time but the weather, tides, and water conditions during the swim are also other major factors.

If I haven't done it before, what could prepare me for an attempt?
Other marathon swims like the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, Catalina Channel, Atlantic City Marathon Swim, and lots of local open water races. Check the "Good Swims" section of this website (www.Doversolo.com) or the websites of usa-swimming.org and usms.org/longdistance for more ideas.

How many people have made it?
Through 1997, there have been 819 successful crossings by 511 individuals (353 men and 173 women) from 44 different countries - 764 solos, 23 two-ways and 3 three-ways.

Who did it first?
Matthew Webb first swam the English Channel in 1875. His crossing took 21 hours and 45 minutes. He occassionally sipped warm brandy while swimming breaststroke the whole way. In 1926, American Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the Channel, in a then-world record time of 14 hours, 39 minutes

Where do you start from England or France?
Most start from Shakespeare Beach in Dover, England. Most escort boats hired are docked in England. When your captain says "Let's Go," it is best for first-time Channel swimmers not to use up 3 hours of good weather motoring over to France.

Where will you finish?
Somewhere on the coast of France between Cap Gris-Nez (or slightly further west) and Calais.

Is there an organization that you have to register with in order to do this?
Yes. There are two.

1. The Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation Send inquiries to: Angela and Michael Oram, The Hermitage, 12 Vale Square, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 9BX England.
Telephone: +44-(0)1843-852-858 (Dialed from the USA: 011-44-1843-852-858), email: Michael.Oram@btinternet.com

2. The Channel Swimming Association Ltd.
Please send inquiries to:
Alison Read, Channel Swimming Association Ltd., 1, Little Gables,
Woodhill Road, Sandon, Chelmsford, Essex CM2 7SF, UK
Tel/Fax (++44) 1245 473581
e-mail:Swimsecretary@btinternet.com
website:www.channelswimmingassociation.com

Do you have to show your passport in France?
No. The organization with which you are swimming takes care of the paperwork so that you don't have to show anything on the French coast when you are finished. Anyway you are only allowed 10 minutes in France after you finish before you have to return to your boat. However, it is not a bad idea to bring your passport on the boat.

How much does it cost?
The application fee is about $150. Your escort boat costs about $2000.

Do you swim alone?
Yes. One lap across the Channel is called a "Solo". There may be other swimmer making attempts on the same day but you won't intentionally swim together. They'll each have their own boat.

How many people try it every year?
The number of attempts varies but approximately 20 to 30 of these are successful.

How many strokes will it take?
Most marathon swimmers take about 60 to 70 strokes a minute. A 10-hour swim would be 42,000 strokes, a 14-hour swim would be 58,800 strokes.

Did you have to do anything to qualify?
Yes. At least a 6-hour swim in 60 degree F water.

Where can you stay in England?
At a local Bed & Breakfast.

Who will need to be on your escort boat?
A coach, training partner, spouse/parent can be helpful. An official observer of the organization with which you are swimming will be designated, and the boat pilot, obviously. It is most desirable to have a support crew who know how you swim, what your plan is, and how to motivate you.

What does you crew do?
They will monitor your condition for fatigue and hypothermia, feed you periodically, watch for boats, alert you of debris, and keep you as informed and entertained as you need to be. They will also keep a log of the swim and hopefully take lots of pictures. It is best to have worked together on several previous swims so they know what your normal condition should be at various points of a long swim.

What does the observer do?
He or she is the official monitor of the swim, randomly designated by the organization with which you are swimming. The observer makes sure that all Channel rules are adhered to and keeps the "official" log. He leaves the feeding, informing, and entertaining of the swimmer up to the crew.

How far away do you swim from your boat?
Usually between 10 and 20 feet.

Can you stop at all?
Yes. You can stop whenever you want. You will probably be stopped every 30 minutes for about 30 seconds to get a "feeding" of hot liquids administered from the boat. Feedings are sometimes administered by a "feeding pole" which you supply. It is a long pole with a cup holder at the end. You can't touch anything or anybody except this pole. The more you stop, the slower your overall time will be, but worse, you could miss catching a tide that might push you towards the approaching coast.

What will you eat?
Warm energy sources that are quickly consumed. Experiment in your practice swims with various foods BEFORE YOUR CHANNEL SWIM. High carbohydrate sources like Exceed, Maxim, and Carbo Concentrate; plain chicken broth; liquefied bananas; watery oatmeal; and tea with honey. Sports gels also work for some. (You wouldn't have all of these things at each feeding.) Occasionally, you may want solid foods like a Fig Newton or a piece of chocolate.

How do you choose the date to make your attempt?
Consider your acclimation to cold water. The warmest time of the year is usually August but swims are conducted from late June through September. Think about the time of year that it would be best for you to swim. Then reserve a swim position with your boat pilot (about 12-16 months ahead of your swim date). Your boat pilot will let you know:

Your swim position number (i.e. what number you are in the queue for that time),
What the tide schedule is (this may not be available until the fall),
The dates of your swim "window", when you may be able to swim (for example July 27th -August 6th), and
How much deposit he/she wants.

What does the tide schedule have to do with my swim?
The amount of water being pushed through any body of water is affected by the tides -- spring or neap -- which in turn are affected by the phase of the moon. During a spring tide when it is either a full, half or neap moon, the difference between high and low water is often 18 to 20 feet approximately 3 to 6 feet more than during the neap tides, when the moon is at quarters. Consequentially, more water flows through the English Channel during spring tide than during a neap, thus creating a greater amount of water to push the swimmer around. Because of this, the neap tides are the more favorable tides on which swimmers make their attempts. However, weather is the most deciding factor. If you have good weather and a spring tide, take the opportunity. Regardless of whether it's a spring or neap tide, the tides shift every six hours so a swimmer's usual course resembles a sine wave or the letter "S".

Why are you only allowed one bathing suit, bathing cap, goggles and grease?
To keep the rules the same throughout history. Having equipment similar to that of Matthew Webb keeps the challenge intact.

What type of grease will you wear?
A mixture of Lanolin and Vaseline. You should have a couple of pounds applied to you right before you start. This grease is available at Boots Chemist in downtown Dover. Ask for 'Channel Grease' and give Boots a few days to prepare it.

How do you get the grease off afterwards?
A lot of it wears off as you swim. The remaining bit can be taken off with a grease- cutting detergent in the shower.

What stroke is usually used?
Swimmers usually swim freestyle but some swimmers do it breaststroke. One even did it butterfly!

How much should you swim a week to get ready for a Channel attempt?
Between 35,000 and 50,000 yards per week. It is also advisable to lift weights at least once a week. On several occasions before your attempt, you should do multiple-hour straight swims. Try to swim enough in six days that you may regularly take one day off a week.

Do you need a coach?
Ideally, yes but many swimmers have been successful implementing their own well-thought out plans.

How long should you have been swimming to attempt the Channel?
Their is no requirement but it sure helps to have a good solid base.

Where can I go to mimic Channel conditions?
Maine, California (La Jolla, San Francisco Bay, etc.), Cape Cod, the Great Lakes, Long Island Sound, etc. During your preparation, it is best to practice dealing with cold salt water, darkness, jellyfish, sudden shifts in weather, wind, waves, and fog. It is advisable to have an escort boat with you for these swims. The most important thing is acclimating to cold (sub-60 degree) water. You can do this through a series of 1, 2, 3, and 4 hour swims in the open water plus one or two 8 to 10 hour swims. During this prep time, it is also good to do fast interval work in a pool, if you can, for speed.

How do you keep from swallowing the water?
Practice keeping your mouth shut!

Are there any big ships in the English Channel?
The English Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Every day about 500 ships and boats pass through and across it, including super tankers. All ships and boats are frequently alerted over the radio whenever there are swimmers in the water. It is the responsibility of your boat pilot to steer you away from these ships and boats.

Are there any sharks?
There are no self-respecting sharks in the English Channel. It's too far north and it's too cold.

What do you think about when you're swimming?
Anything and everything. Try to focus on swimming efficiently. Sometimes your crew will hold up informational and/or entertaining signs. Sometimes you sing songs. If you have to ask a question, you try to think about the most concise way to phrase it so that your crew understands what you are saying in the least amount of words. Try not to think about "How much longer?" Try to think about how much you are enjoying this amazing and unique experience and all the people who have supported you getting here.