Relay team swim English Channel

The six-member team set off from Samphire Hoe, Dover, at approximately 3.22am on Monday aboard the Optimist piloted by Paul Foreman.

Channel swimming rules only allow certain types of bathers, swimming goggles, a cap and nose clip.

There also has to be an observer present for the duration of the challenge who will adjudicate the team members and ensure they complete the swim legally.

Second swimmer Geoff Le Page said: ‘Our team in swimming order was Regina Luxon, myself, Alan and Freya Guezo, Chris Bran and Mark Torode – we took on one-hour stints each.

‘Channel swimming rules are very strict and do not allow anything that provides buoyancy, there is even these new caps which allow you to listen to your mp3 and those aren’t permitted either.’

The first six stints were completed without much issue, conditions were favourable in English waters, and the team neared the halfway zone.

The English Channel is separated into five sections.

Close to the coasts is the inshore English and inshore French waters, in the middle is the English and French shipping lanes – the French runs south and English runs north, and in the middle of the Channel is a separation zone or ‘no man’s land’.

‘Through the first half conditions were smooth but there were a lot of jellyfish – I counted 34 in total during my stint.

‘The stings do not hurt much more than a stinging nettle though so it was not enough to prevent any of us from swimming.

‘I also had a seal follow me for company which was really nice, even though I couldn’t see him – the others got a video. As we reached the French side things got pretty rough.’

As winds picked up, the pilot explained that the wind over tide factor was at play, which makes it difficult for the swimmer to build any stroke rhythm.

‘We all had to dig in,’ continued Mr Le Page. ‘Our quickest and first swimmer, Reggie, is a really experienced sea swimmer but as soon as she came out of the first leg she was quite sick. We let her go and get her head down for five hours until the next stint but it felt very cruel to go and have to ask her to get in the water for a second time. Reggie was then sick again while completing her second stint and to her credit she still completed the leg – it was really tough to watch.’

For her second stint in the water, Ms Luxon was joined by a dolphin who remained with her while she finished her last 10 minutes.

All of the swimmers endured a second leg in the Channel and it took them within two hours of the French coastline.

‘The problem came because Reggie, being our first swimmer, was due to get back in the water again but she really was worse for wear. She wasn’t well and we were worried she was dehydrated. The sea had calmed somewhat and Reggie got in and swam her third and final stint. I then jumped in and swam the last leg with the rest of the team, but Reggie joining me for the last few hundred yards.’

Mr Le Page and the team landed at Cap Blanc Nez after 13 hours and 58 minutes of swimming and were joined on the rocks by some French passers by who came to congratulate the swimmers.

‘All we thought about throughout the challenge was the charity and the patients we were swimming for. It turned quite ugly in the middle and I am incredibly proud of the whole team.’