The world’s busiest shipping lane

Fewer have crossed the Channel than have summited Everest

Length of the Channel – Approximately 21 miles

Length of the Channel swim – Now that’s the question. The slowest swimmer got swept off course and swam 65 miles. Your pilot will try to keep it as short as possible.

Water Temperature – 14-18C / 57-64F

Leave from – Dover, England

Arrive at – Calais, France

Number of Channel Swimmers – 2095 after the 2019 season (some with many, many crossings)

As of 2018:

Men – 1314

Women – 610

(Within the last decade (2008-18), 680 men, 310 women (69%:31%)

First Man – Captain Matthew Webb (21:40 in 1875)

First Woman – Gertrude Ederle (14:31 in 1926)

Fastest Man – Trent Grimsey (6:55 in 2012)

Fastest Woman – Yvetta Hlaváčová (7:25 in 2006)

Average age 40

Oldest Woman – 66

Oldest Man – 73

Success Rate ~66% average

Most Crossings (Men) – Kevin Murphy (34)

Most Crossings (Women) – Allison Streeter (43)

Most Consecutive Crossings – 4!!! (Sarah Thomas 2019)

Sea Life – Lots. Jellyfish the most problematic. Sharks not a remotely likely concern.

Most successful day – August 22

Most successful months – July and August

Neap/Spring Tide success rate – about the same overall

For a much more in-depth look, enjoy Julian Critchlow’s blog: https://coldwaterswimming.wordpress.com/2019/07/22/more-lies-damn-lies-and-statistics/