The Crossing

What compels someone to swim many hours through cold waters, battling fatigue, the elements, and the deep recesses of the mind?

This question lies at the heart of Channel swimming.

Steve Magness, in his book "Do Hard Things," explores the psychology behind taking on immense challenges, noting that "discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life." 

For Channel swimmers, discomfort seems to be not just a test of endurance but a pathway to growth. The harsh conditions, bitter cold, churning waves, and relentless winds draw them in. 

As Ross Edgley writes in The Art of Resilience, "Resilience isn’t about the absence of challenge, but the ability to adapt and thrive within it." 

Is it this adaptability that sets distance swimmers apart? Their ability to endure discomfort not for glory, but for the internal reward of pushing past what they thought possible.

Marcia Cleveland, who swam the Channel in 1994, echoed this sentiment in her memoir Dover Solo, "Swimming the Channel is not just about being physically fit; it’s about silencing the inner voice that tells you to stop." The mind, she argues, is the real battleground. 

Just as in life, the challenges we face in the water are often as much mental as physical. Every stroke taken through the water brings the swimmer closer to victory, not over the sea, but over the internal barriers that limit human potential.

The Blue Planet

The oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface but we still know remarkably little about them. In these waters, swimmers face unpredictable currents, an icy embrace, and the mental challenge of navigating a course where the point-to-point distance rarely represents the true challenge.

The drive to do hard things, to take on such monumental challenges, is fueled by more than just physical strength. It’s the relentless pursuit of mastery over one's mind.

Something draws me to this particular challenge, but I’m not sure I can quite put my finger on it. There is something about submerging into this alien environment that is both scary and invigorating. When you escape its embrace, you end up wanting more! 

A Brief History of Channel Swimming and the Oceans Seven Challenge

Webb’s English Channel swim in 1875, was a groundbreaking moment in endurance sports and the public’s imagination. His crossing, which took nearly 22 hours, marked the start of a legacy that continues today. Kathy Watson noted that "in the eyes of Victorian England, Webb had become more than a man; he was a symbol, a testament to the British spirit of courage and endurance."  In the British psyche, it was (and probably remains) bigger than just swimming - his triumph inspired countless others to follow in his wake, with each successful crossing contributing to the evolving history of Channel swimming.

Over the years, the English Channel has become synonymous with big swims, but it wasn’t the only body of water to challenge swimmers. In 2008, the Oceans Seven Challenge was introduced by open-water swimmers as the equivalent of the Seven Summits in mountaineering.

The Oceans Seven embodies the ultimate test for open-water swimmers, with each crossing presenting its own unique set of complications. These challenges bring modern-day Channel swimming into a global context. Today, the Oceans Seven challenge builds on that tradition, pushing swimmers beyond their limits in every corner of the world.

The history of Channel swimming has evolved from Webb’s solo journey in 1875 to a global pursuit of human endurance. What started as a personal battle between man and sea has become a sport, a tradition, and for some, a lifelong obsession.

Andy Donaldson and the Oceans Seven

On 27 July 2023 Andy Donaldson, an Australia-based Scot, completed the Tsugaru Strait in Japan as the last of these seven swims and set a new world record. This final swim proved the hardest, setting off with the knowledge that of the 13 swimmers who had attempted the Tsugaru Strait so far that year, all 13 had failed! Nothing great is easy.

In October 2023 we met Andy at the UltraSwim 33.3 in Montenegro and he was back again this year at the event. Lovely guy and a next-level swimmer. Here is a list of the straight-line distances and his swim times:

1. English Channel (England-France, 33 km): 8 hours 0 minutes (British Record)

2. North Channel (Ireland-Scotland, 34.5 km): 9 hours 13 minutes (British Record)

3. Cook Strait (New Zealand, 22 km): 4 hours 33 minutes (World Record)

4. Molokai Channel (Hawaii, 43 km): 15 hours 52 minutes

5. Strait of Gibraltar (Spain-Morocco, 14.5 km): 2 hours 56 minutes (British Record)

6. Catalina Channel (USA, 32 km): 9 hours 22 minutes (British Record)

7. Tsugaru Strait (Japan, 19.5 km): 13 hours 4 minutes

The Swedish Connection

If you look at the swim database on the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation and filter on Sweden - it is rather slim pickings, with only eight solo swims between 1939 and 2023.

I’m not sure I can answer why, but open water and long-distance swimming aren’t a big part of the Swedish swimming culture but I hope that’s changing. There is a clear spillover from swimrun and triathlon. The Vidöstern 21 km and 42 km swims have become an annual feature on the European big swim calendar.

Distance swimming has also entered into popular culture through several recent films; Nyad, the Young Woman and the Sea, and the soon-to-be-released film on Swedish swimmer Sally Bauer which will be premiered on November 15th centering on her 1939 Channel swim.

One amazing Swedish swimmer is Anna-Carin Nordin. How many of you know she was the first woman to achieve the Oceans Seven Challenge back on July 8th, 2013? Her book about that feat was published last year titled  ‘Conquering the Straits’.

Another personality, Envol coach, and unsung hero, is the Egyptian-born open-water swimmer Osama Ahmed Momtaz. Stockholm-based swimmers will have seen him on the pool deck at Eriksdalsbadet.  Did you know he was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2007? 

One of his many accomplishments was setting the record for England to France to England on July 22, 1984, which he completed in 21 hours and 37 minutes. 10 hours and 15 minutes on the outward leg, and 11 hours and 22 minutes on the return leg. Respect!

One Swedish channel swimmer that I know only by name and deeds is Patrik Eveborn. He was the last Swede to swim the English Channel (2023), this past summer he also swam the 12 kilometers from the Principality of Sealand off the coast of Suffolk with its one permanent resident, to the UK, and claimed the title of Baron! Apparently Ed Sheeran is also a Baron of Sealand, although I doubt he got it through swimming.

Taking On The Challenge

If there is a swimmer in my network who fancies being number 9 let me know. You’ll need a team. In addition to the mental and physical training, you must plan well in advance. Here are some things to consider.

Both the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF) and the Channel Swimming Association (CSA) perform similar roles and you can choose either. They observe and authenticate official English Channel swim attempts, ensuring they meet the strict rules for solo and relay swims (no rubber allowed).

According to the rules of the CS&PF and the CSA, you must be escorted by an official boat and pilot. These experienced pilots help you navigate the currents, tides, and busy shipping lanes. You’ll need to book your pilot at least 1-2 years in advance, as slots fill up quickly.

Channel swims are tide-dependent, and each swimmer is allocated a slot during a specific tide-window (typically 10 days). You'll be assigned a slot with priority based on when you booked the pilot. Swims are often delayed or moved due to weather conditions.

You need to register with the CSA or CS&PF several months before your swim. You will need to meet specific requirements, including a qualifying swim of a minimum of 6 hours in water below 16°C (60.8°F) and a physical exam/sign-off from a doctor.

Channel swimming remains one of the ultimate tests of human endurance. Its appeal lies not only in the physical challenge of crossing vast, cold bodies of water but in the mental fortitude required to confront the unknown. The quest to master their unpredictable nature continues to inspire. 

Whether tackling a single crossing or the Oceans Seven, these individuals represent the ultimate in human resilience, driven by a profound desire to do hard things and conquer the seemingly impossible.