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