Facts

Anna Wardley

Sometime in August 2007!!

Captain Matthew Webb

August 24th 1875

The English Channel is 20.7 land miles wide at its narrowest point.

Only 665 people have successfully swam the English Channel.

Captain Matthew Webb was the first person to swim the Channel in 1875. He set off in a ten-pound swimsuit after a breakfast of eggs and bacon washed down with beer, brandy and claret. It took him 21 hours and 45 minutes.

The fastest Channel Crossing was completed in 7 hours and 17 minutes by Chad Hundeby in 1994

The longest solo Channel Swim was completed in 26 hours and 50 minutes by Henry Sullivan in 1923.

The most common stroke for Channel Swim attempts is crawl / freestyle, but there are records for crossings using only breaststroke, backstroke or butterfly.

Swimmers can only wear a regulation Lycra swimsuit that does not extend onto the shoulders or thighs. They are permitted to wear grease, a latex swim cap and goggles.

A swimmer is disqualified if they touch the escort boat or any other vessel during the crossing. Swimmers feed regularly and are dangled liquids and food off a long pole. A Channel Swimming Association official observer will be onboard the pilot vessel when Anna makes her solo attempt to ratify the swim if it is successful

It is currently forbidden by the French authorities for swimmers to commence their Channel attempt in France, therefore all attempts are currently commence in England.

For more information about Channel Swimming log onto the Channel Swimming Association’s website at www.channelswimmingassociation.com