Channel Facts

Quick Facts:  The Challenge

• Distance: 21 Miles / 34 km (in a straight line at its narrowest point)
• Temp: 15 - 18 degrees centigrade
• Average Swim Time: 10-20 hours
• Hazards: Jellyfish, Hypothermia, Debris
• Most Popular Stroke: Front Crawl
• Shipping: Over 600 commercial ships use the channel per day
• Qualify:  to qualify must complete a 6 hour swim in 16C or colder

Quick Facts:  The Rules

• What You Can Wear: one hat, one costume, goggles, grease, earplugs
• No physical contact with boat or any person
• Swim starts: by walking into sea from dry land
• Swim ends: by finishing on dry land

Quick Facts:  The Statistics (at Feb'13)

• World Record Time: 6hr 55min
• First Crossing: 1875 Captain Webb Time 21 hrs
• Successful swims:  1,790
• Successful swimmers:  1,335
• Successful female swims: 594
• Successful female swimmers: 424
• Successful male swims: 1196
• Successful male swimmers: 911