Soldiers dodge tankers in English Channel swim

A team of six soldiers from the British Army’s Recruiting Group successfully completed a daring relay swim across the English Channel, navigating the world’s busiest shipping lanes and dodging supertankers.

According to a press release, the soldiers swam from Folkestone, Kent, to the shores of France in just under 13 hours, overcoming extreme tidal currents, strong winds, and freezing waters.

The relay team, made up of Major Lance Morris, Lieutenant Colonel Vickie Warrington, Major Johannes Kühn, Captain Gray Searle, Sergeant Nicola McCarthy, and Captain Kate Major, faced challenging conditions throughout the 21-mile crossing. Each swimmer spent an hour in the water, tackling elements like jellyfish, pitch darkness, and cold temperatures, before being relieved by the next swimmer.

Major Lance Morris reflected on the difficulty of staying warm in the cold water: “The water was around 12 degrees, which may not sound that cold, but when you’re only wearing Speedos, after a few minutes you can only get warm by swimming faster.”

Training for the challenge took place over the course of a year, with the soldiers balancing their military duties and personal lives. According to Lieutenant Colonel Vickie Warrington, the challenge was both physical and mental: “This is 60% a physical challenge and 40% a mental challenge. The mental bit is the most difficult without a doubt.”

The team swam in strict accordance with Channel Swimming Association regulations, which meant they could only wear basic swim gear, including Speedo-type swimwear, hats, and goggles. If any member of the team was unable to continue, the entire attempt would have been abandoned.

The swim was completed to raise funds for the Army Benevolent Fund, the Army’s official charity supporting injured personnel and their families. Maj Lance Morris expressed his hope that the team’s feat would inspire others to push their limits, especially fellow soldiers.

Despite the freezing temperatures and hazardous conditions, the team finished the crossing in 12 hours and 56 minutes, a significant achievement given that fewer people have swum the English Channel than have climbed Mount Everest.

Sgt Nicola McCarthy, who swam through the night, highlighted the mental strength required to keep going: “When fatigue hits, I’ll dig deep and remind myself why I’m doing this. If I fail, the team fails.”