Why Swim the English Channel?

Why Swim the English Channel?

That’s a good question, and one I didn't give much thought to when it was first suggested to me. A friend brought it up after I’d finished my 100-mile ultra marathon, and at the time, the idea gave me butterflies in my stomach. That was enough reason to pursue it—I didn’t think too much about it after that.

But now, I’ve had time to consider why I want to do it. I need a challenge in my life to push me and give me a sense of direction. I’m in my early 30s, and sometimes I feel like I don’t know where my path in life is going or what my purpose is. I see others following the traditional path of school, university, and career, but it doesn’t resonate with me. Surely there’s more to life than working a 9-to-5 job I fell into at 17 because I didn’t know what I wanted to do.

I often think, whether you’re religious or not, that our finite time in life is meant to be spent pursuing our passions—not working jobs we don’t care about. Maybe that’s a privileged perspective; not everyone has the opportunity to pursue their dreams. But it’s something I struggle with. How do you balance the reality of needing money to live and finding the time to live the exact life you’d like? I don’t know, but for me, pursuing these challenges gives me a little window into what that kind of life might look like for me.

I like doing things that frighten me. Signing up for something where there’s a genuine possibility of failure makes succeeding in it all the more gratifying. I don’t get a buzz from doing something I’ve already accomplished. Sure, I could run a faster time, but I already know I can do it. I prefer challenges where I have no idea if I’ll succeed—because when you do, it feels like unlocking a new level, like powering up a video game character. 

I once heard David Goggins say that we operate at just 40% of our potential. With every big challenge I take on, it feels like I’m gradually nudging that percentage up, notch by notch.

So What’s Involved in Swimming the English Channel?

The swim itself is approximately 21 miles (32 kilometers) from England to France, with cold water temperatures ranging from 14°C to 18°C (57°F to 64°F). These temperatures can cause hypothermia without proper acclimatization. Strong and unpredictable tides, currents, and waves demand precise timing and navigation to avoid being swept off course. To make things even more challenging, the Channel is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. I’ll have to contend with large vessels and groups of jellyfish, requiring constant vigilance from my support crew.

The requirements are to start from the shore, swim across the Channel without any physical contact with the escort boat or crew, and finish on dry land on the opposite coast.

If you want your swim attempt officially recognized, the Channel Swimming Association (CSA)—the body that regulates official attempts—mandates that swimmers wear only a standard swimsuit, a single swim cap, and goggles. For men, this means just a pair of Speedos for protection. I initially wondered why all the guys in the official CSA photos were wearing Speedos and thought I’d be a genius by wearing a wetsuit. Little did I know, wetsuits or any aids that provide buoyancy or thermal protection are prohibited.

As of December 2024, nearly 3,000 individuals have successfully completed solo swims across the Channel. Come September 2025, I hope to be among that number.

What Challenges Does the Swim Bring?

Swimming the Channel brings up some personal challenges for me. Firstly, I hate not being able to see the bottom when I’m swimming. My brain conjures up images of all kinds of monsters, real and imaginary, lurking in the depths, waiting to swoop up and devour me.

Secondly, there’s no escaping your thoughts while swimming. In running or cycling, you can use headphones. In football, rugby, or hockey, you’re focused on the ball or your teammates. But swimming is just you, your breath, and your thoughts. There’s no hiding from the demons in your mind, if you have any. It’s a forced practice in meditation—there’s nothing to distract you, so getting comfortable with your own thoughts is essential.

Preparing for the Challenge: Key Logistics

Swimming the English Channel requires far more planning and organization than I initially expected—something I quickly realized after signing up. The first step is securing a boat and pilot, as they’ll guide me through the unpredictable waters and ensure a safe route for my swim. A mandatory medical examination comes next, which must be submitted alongside the membership fees to the Channel Swimming Association (CSA) for official recognition. Assembling a reliable support crew is also crucial—they’ll be my lifeline, providing guidance, monitoring, and encouragement throughout the swim. Training is a major focus, emphasizing endurance, cold-water acclimatization, and completing a qualifying 6-kilometer open-water swim under regulated conditions. Finally, booking accommodation ensures everything is in place for the big day.

Where Am I At Now?

So far, I’ve hired my boat and pilot, passed my medical examination, and submitted it along with my membership fees to the CSA. I’ve also managed to recruit my support crew—my dad and a few friends have agreed to help out. My training is well underway, and I’ve been working closely with my swim coach, Sarah Freeman, to stay on track. The next steps are booking accommodation and completing the 6-hour qualifying swim, which I’m aiming to tackle toward the end of next spring.

How Am I Feeling?

As it’s still 2024, the swim doesn’t feel quite real yet. I haven’t booked accommodation, so maybe once that’s done and I’ve nothing left to do but train and prepare, it will sink in. For now, I’m more excited than anything—slightly nervous, but that’ll push me to ensure I don’t leave any stone unturned in my preparation.

My biggest concern right now is cold acclimatization. Even though I’m living in Canada for the winter, it’s actually too cold to swim outside. Swimming in -10°C to -30°C might kill me rather than prepare me. To get some exposure, I’ve been taking cold showers every day and plunging in the river at least once a week, but I’m not sure how effective these short stints will be for longer cold-water exposure. Once spring arrives, every effort will be made to swim outside as much as possible.

For now, I’m focusing on training—building endurance and refining my swim technique to become as efficient as possible in the water.