The SwimTayka community came together in Dover recently for another fantastic English Channel training weekend, welcoming 2026 swimmers preparing for their imminent Channel attempts and 2027 swimmers taking their first steps towards France.
The weekend was packed with swimming, learning and friendship, giving swimmers the opportunity to experience the waters they’ll soon be crossing while building confidence and sharing knowledge with others on the same journey.
Friday evening began with a relaxed harbour swim before everyone gathered at Cullins Yard, where old friends reunited, new friendships were formed, and plenty of Channel stories were shared. It set the tone for a weekend built on community, encouragement and mutual support.
Saturday saw the group head to Kingsdown Beach for a longer sea swim. The conditions provided an excellent opportunity for swimmers to practise pacing, feeding, navigation and adapting to open water conditions. For many, it was another important milestone in their preparation.
As darkness fell, the weekend moved into what many described as its highlight – the memorable night swim. Swimming in the sea after sunset is unlike any other experience. It challenges confidence, sharpens focus and gives swimmers a valuable opportunity to experience a completely different side of open water swimming in a safe and supportive environment. For many, it was an experience that will stay with them long after their Channel crossing.
Away from the water, the weekend offered practical workshops and informal discussions covering every aspect of Channel swimming, from preparation and feeding strategies to safety, mental resilience and life aboard the escort boat. Experienced swimmers freely shared their knowledge with those newer to the sport, reinforcing one of SwimTayka’s core values – that nobody makes the journey alone.
Scotty summed up the weekend perfectly:
“It was great to meet old friends and try to learn the names of all the new swimmers joining our community. We worked hard all weekend and the night swim is something I’ll remember for a long time. Please remember that no question is ever a daft question. We’re always here to help.”
One of the greatest strengths of SwimTayka is its community. Whether someone is preparing to swim the Channel this year or beginning a two-year journey towards their dream, everyone is welcomed, supported and encouraged. Every swimmer has something to learn, and everyone has something to share.
As the 2026 swimmers move into their swim windows and the 2027 swimmers continue their training, weekends like this remind us that the English Channel is about much more than swimming from England to France. It is about resilience, teamwork, friendship and believing that extraordinary challenges become achievable when tackled together.
The SwimTayka team would like to thank everyone who attended, volunteered and helped make the weekend such a success. We look forward to seeing many more swimmers at future training weekends as the next generation of Channel swimmers continues their journey.
Photos and Videos
If you’d like to relive the weekend or share the experience with friends and family, you can view all of the photos and videos here. We hope you enjoy looking back at a brilliant weekend of swimming, learning and making memories.
And if you are inspired to join an English Channel relay team, you can find more information here.
