Connah Lloyd
Connah's English Channel Swim Relay page
Fundraising for SwimTayka
Story
English Channel Relay Swim
This year, I have set my self the challenge of taking part in a small relay team swimming the English Channel, the busiest shipping lane in the world.
My swim window is In August 2023
The straight line distance from Dover to Calais is 21 miles (1,344 lengths of a 25m pool), but due to the tidal surges, currents and weather conditions, most swims can end up being up to 28 miles (1,792 lengths!)
As part of the relay, i'll be swimming an hour at a time, wearing just swimming trunks (tiny speedos if you're lucky), hat and goggles - no wetsuits. Water temperature is typically 15/16 degrees, and jellyfish and debris are common obstacles!
In preparation over the next few months I'll be doing lots of cold water familiarisation (can't wait), as well as long swims in both open water and the pool. I'll be sure to share my training throughout, and all of my swims with be tracked on Strava via my Apple Watch.
Why am i doing this?
As someone very passionate about swimming and drowning prevention, I am swimming this to support the charity SwimTayka (Charit no. 1176079). Drowning is a silent epidemic that claims an estimated 360,000 lives every year, many of them children. Drowning is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. These are wasted lives and preventable deaths. SwimTayka's mission is to give disadvantaged communities around the world access to swimming teachers who can not only provide the life skills of swimming, but create a legacy for todays children, who will grow up to teach the next generation.
I would really appreciate everyones support in fundraising for this great cause, i need to reach £1,500 to be able to complete the swim.
Thank you!
