Two years after testing their limits in the English Channel, a four-man relay team has successfully conquered what many open-water swimmers consider the ultimate Swimming Everest, The North Channel. Local swimmers Paul Clinton, Blake Boland, Peter Farrelly, and Martin Gaynor officially completed the brutal 35 km crossing on Wednesday, June 24, landing on the Scottish coast after a gruelling 13 hours and 27 minutes at sea. Because of the really strong currents, tides and wind they ended up swimming closer to 42 km. Guided by
the expert piloting crew at Infinity Channel Swimming led by pilot Jack and co-pilot Jan, the relay team of four swimmers took turns facing some of the most hostile swimming conditions on the planet. The stretch of water between Donaghadee in County Down and the Mull of Galloway in Scotland is notorious for its strong currents, extreme cold, changeable winds and of course lions mane jellyfish. The achievement is the culmination of a gruelling, year-long training regime. The team spent 12 months splitting their time
between relentless black-line pool training to build raw fitness, and logging endless freezing miles in the open water at Clogherhead to acclimatise their bodies for the swim. Their training also included making sure that they ate the correct food and drink in preparation for the challenge. To even be permitted onto the start line, each swimmer had to first pass a mandatory two-hour continuous swim in sea temp of 14 C or lower. This is to prove that they could handle the cold water, deal
with the possible drop in core body temperature. The year of preparation proved vital, as water temperatures in the North Channel dropped below 12°C for portions of the swim, pushing their bodies to the edge of hypothermia. The physical toll was magnified by the strict ILDSA channel swim rules governing the crossing. Under official channel swimming regulations, wetsuits or heat-retaining fabrics are completely banned. The swimmers were permitted only standard swimming togs, a single cap, and goggles. Each swimmer entered the water to battle the
elements for exactly one hour, immediately followed by the next swimmer in a continuous, unbroken chain. The strategy required absolute precision and discipline. Furthermore, the rules dictate that this strict hourly rotation order cannot alter; if a single swimmer fails to complete their hour or touches the support boat, the entire team attempt is instantly disqualified. The North Channel is also infamous for its swarms of giant Lion’s Mane jellyfish, but luck was on the side of the Channel Chancers for this crossing, as the
notorious stingers stayed deep down in the water, allowing the swimmers to focus entirely on their swim pace. The main battle though was against the biting, at times sub-12°C water and shifting tidal currents and wind that constantly pushed the team off course. The flawless execution on the day proved that every single week of their year-long preparation was vital. For Clinton and Boland, it marks a continuation of their open-water journey and with the addition of Farrelly and Gaynor to the team, not finishing
wasn’t an option. By the time the final swimmer, Paul Clinton, cleared the water and stood on the rugged Scottish shoreline – as required by rule to stop the clock – the time read 13 hours and 27 minutes. The feat cements their place in the exclusive club of athletes who have crossed one of the toughest channels in the world. More people have stood on top of Mount Everest than have swum the North Channel. What an achievement, what an adventure. The Channel Chancers
have now swam two of the ‘Ocean 7s’ swims and with five remaining, who knows what the next one will be. To take on an event like this, and to devote so much time and effort to training couldn’t have happened without the support of all their families and the swimmers offered a huge thank you for their support and encouragement. The Ocean 7s is the swimming equivalent of the world’’ highest mountains and all swims are solo. It was first swum by an Irish
man called Steve Redmond. The seven swims are The English Channel, The North Channel, Catalina Channel (USA), Moloki Channel (Hawaii), Cook Strait (New Zealand), Tsugaru Strait (Japan) and the Strait of Gibraltar.
North Channel, Louth swimmers, Paul Clinton, Blake Boland, Peter Farrelly, Martin Gaynor, Ocean 7s, ILDSA, Infinity Channel Swimming, Jack, Jan, Donaghadee, Mull of Galloway, open-water swimming