The Challenge

Would you like to conquer the Everest of the swimming world?

Want to swim from England to France and proudly say “I am a Channel Swimmer”?

This swim is seen as the Mt Everest of all swims because more people have climbed Mt Everest than have swam the English Channel.

SwimTayka is a UK-based charity that works towards promoting safe swimming practices globally. We work with local communities to provide swimming lessons and water safety education, with the goal of reducing drowning deaths and improving overall health and wellbeing.

English Channel relay swimming is a challenging team sport where a group of swimmers takes turns to swim across the English Channel. The team must adhere to strict rules set by the Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation (CS&PF), including no physical contact between swimmers or with the support boat, and no wetsuits are allowed. The team must also have a support boat that accompanies them throughout the swim, providing food, water, and medical support.

Swimming the English Channel as part of a relay team can be a great way to push your limits and achieve a significant personal accomplishment. However, it is also a major undertaking that requires extensive training and preparation. Swimmers need to be in excellent physical condition and must be able to swim for long distances in open water. They also need to be able to swim in cold water and adverse weather conditions, as the English Channel can be very unpredictable.

Overall, SwimTayka offers a unique opportunity for swimmers to use their passion for swimming to make a positive impact on the world. By supporting SwimTayka’s mission and fundraising for the cause, swimmers can help make a difference in the lives of people around the world by promoting safe swimming practices and reducing drowning deaths.

I want to join the SwimTayka English Channel Relay team

Non-Profit

Non-Profit

SwimTayka provides this unique opportunity to raise money for a swimming non-profit organisation and follow your passion for swimming at the same time.

Swim to France and know that you are helping children in the low-resource area around the world learn to swim and receive education about looking after the open water where they live.

We are delighted to help bring swimming enthusiasts closer to their swimming dreams and help you conquer this world-renowned challenging swim as part of a six-person relay swim.

What's Involved

What’s Involved

Swimming the English Channel as part of a relay team is a challenging undertaking that requires extensive preparation and teamwork. Here are some of the key elements involved in a successful English Channel relay swim:

  1. Team selection: A relay team typically consists of six swimmers, with each swimmer taking turns to swim for one hour at a time. The team should be selected based on each swimmer’s experience, ability, and suitability for the cold, rough waters of the English Channel.
  2. Training: The team must undergo extensive training, including open water swimming in cold, rough conditions to prepare for the challenges of the Channel. Swimmers must also practice swimming in relays, practicing getting in and out of the water quickly, and passing the baton to the next swimmer.
  3. Pilot and boat selection: The team must select a qualified pilot and boat to accompany them on the swim. The pilot will navigate the boat and ensure the team stays on course, while also providing support and guidance to the swimmers. The boat must also be equipped with safety gear, food, water, and medical supplies.
  4. Rules and regulations: The Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation (CS&PF) sets strict rules and regulations for English Channel relay swims. The team must follow these rules, which include no physical contact between swimmers or with the boat, no wetsuits, and strict guidelines for the use of support equipment.
  5. Weather and tide conditions: The English Channel can be unpredictable, with strong currents and changing weather conditions. The team must be prepared to adjust their swim plan based on these conditions and work with their pilot to navigate the best course.

Overall, swimming the English Channel as part of a relay team requires a significant commitment in terms of training, planning, and teamwork. But for those who are up for the challenge, it can be a deeply rewarding experience, both personally and in supporting a worthy cause.

Our Commitment

Our Commitment

We take care of all the necessary administration, book and organise CS&PF boats, arrange teams and provide you with training days and online support throughout the year. We can also offer support from some of the best open water swim coaches in the country and help from a team of ultramarathon swimmers.

Once you are selected for the team, you are required to commit to the programme, which includes:

  • Access to the very best in English Channel train, summer weekend sessions in Dover harbour, turn up and be part of a swimming pod for your training. From these sessions, you will be guided and coached by other channel swimmers with vast knowledge and experience.
  • Night training, Winter training, all from actual English Channel Swimmers.
  • Being part of a group to support and motivate you
  • Boat training sessions, for real English Channel swimming with a cross channel boat to gain experience what it is like and how it all works. (additional cost)
  • Other sessions will be available if required at a small additional cost.
  • Access to swimming holidays where the waters will be below 16c for the perfect training, enabling you to obtain the qualifier swim. (additional cost)