Captain Matthew Webb was the first person to achieve what was thought to be impossible when he swam across the English Channel from England to France in 1875.
Webb's first attempt to swim the Channel on 12 August 1875 was unsuccessful due to strong winds and rough seas.
Twelve days later, on the 24 August 1875, Webb started out from the Admiralty Pier in Dover and 21 hours and 45 minutes later, landing near Calais, he successfully completed the first solo swim between England and France.
The swimmer Capt Webb is the original pioneer and hero who inspires successful and aspiring Channel Swimmers to this day.
Webb keeping an eye on the Channel from the Dover seafront
- 24 Jan 2026
CS&PF Annual Dinner 2026 - One week remaining
Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation Annual Dinner 2026Saturday 14th March 2026Channel Suite - Leas Cliff Hall - FolkestoneHere we go again………………………………….This is your advance warning for the CS&PF Annual Dinner.Tickets will go on sale on the 2nd of January 2025. Full details will be advertised at www.cspf.co.uk, this is just giving you the time to get organised.Tickets are £50 person.Tickets will remain on sale until the 31st of January unless they sell out sooner. After that date I would only be able to refund any cancellations if I resell the ticket.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:The name of everyone in your party. If you wish to sit together, book together.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 150 words for each 2025 season solo swimmer.Photos for each 2025 solo swimmer, and relay team in your party.Please name the file names the solo surname or relay name. ThanksMichelle Read more
Sandettie Lightship Observations
9am, 30th January 2026
Water: 48.4 °F (9.1 °C)
Air: 41.5 °F (5.3 °C)
Wind Speed: 20.0 kn (37.0 km/h)
Wind Direction: SSE (150°)
