Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation "Nothing great is easy", Captain Matthew Webb

Facts about the Channel 

Distances 
Shakespeare Beach to Cap Gris Nez18.1 nautical miles
20.8 land (statute) miles 
33.5 kilometres
Firsts     
SoloCaptain Matthew Webb24th August 187521 hours 45 mins
2-Way Antonio Abertondo196143 hours 10 mins
3-Way John Erikson198138 hours 27 mins
4-WaySarah Thomas201954 hours 10 mins
Numbers
Solo Swimmers1619
Solo Crossings2126
2-Way solos41
3-Way solos4
Speed
Fastest 1-Way SoloTrent Grimsey [08/09/2012]6 hours 55 mins
Fastest 2-Way SoloPhilip Rush [1987]16 hours 10 mins
Fastest 3-Way SoloPhilip Rush [1987]28 hours 21 mins
Fastest 1-Way RelayUS National Swim Team [1990]6 hours 52 mins
Fastest 2-Way RelayUS National Swim Team [1990]14 hours 18 mins
Fastest 3-Way RelaySport City Mexico [2007]30 hours 7 mins
Fastest 4-Way RelaySport City Mexico [2007]42 hours 11 mins
Slowest 1-Way SoloJackie Cobell [2010]28 hours 44 mins
Slowest 2-Way SoloAntonio Abertondo [1961]43 hours 10 mins
Age  
Youngest Channel SwimmerThomas Gregory [1988]11 years 11 months
Oldest Channel SwimmerOtto Thaning [2014]73 years 4months
Fatalities
1926Rodriguez de LaraSpain
1954Edward J MayUK
1984Kumar AnandanSri Lanka
1988Renata AgondiBrazil
1999Fausta Marin MorenoMexico
2001Ueli StaubSwitzerland
2012Páraic CaseyIreland
2013Susan TaylorUK
2016Nick ThomasUK
  • 12 Jan 2025RSS Feed

    CS&PF 2025 Annual Dinner tickets

    Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation Annual Dinner 2025Saturday 15th  March 2025Channel Suite - Leas Cliff Hall - FolkestoneTickets are now on sale and are £50 per person.Tickets will be on sale until the 8th of February unless they sell out sooner.To book your tickets please, for my sanity read the following carefully and only apply for tickets when you have ALL the information.Information required at the time of booking: tickets@cspf.co.ukThe name of everyone in your party.Make one booking for the whole group.Tables seat 10.If you are booking more than one table, please state who will be sat at which table.Dietary requirements – this cannot be accommodated on the night so must be supplied at the time of booking.Access requirements / special needs.The country you are travelling from if it is outside the UK.Swim stories to a maximum of 200 words for each 2024 season solo swimmer.Photos for each 2024 solo swimmer, and relay team in your party.Please name the file names the solo surname or relay name.Once I have ALL the information required to make your booking, I will send you the details to make payment by bank transfer.  When making your transfer please:Make one payment for your whole party.Use the name that made the booking as the reference on the bank transfer.Let’s make this the year I don’t threaten murder at some point in the processThanksMichelletickets@cspf.co.uk Read more

CS&PF NEWS

Sandettie Lightship Observations

8pm, 20th October 2024


Water: 60.6 °F (15.9 °C)

Air: 60.3 °F (15.7 °C)

Wind Speed: 24.1 kn (44.6 km/h)

Wind Direction: SW (230°)

Channel Weather