The bi-annual Varsity Channel Relay is back in 2025 where a new team of swimmers from Cambridge University will race a team from Oxford University across the English Channel. The race, from Dover to Calais, will take place in the week of 11-17th July 2025.

Almost every other year since 1988, Cambridge and Oxford have raced across the English Channel. We are raising money together with Oxford for Ocean Conservation Trust and will be donating at least 50 % of all donations to them.

The relay takes place in hour long rotations until the French coastline is reached. Wetsuits are not permitted, so all that is protecting the swimmers from the 15 degree water (and jellyfish) is a swimming costume, swim hat and a pair of goggles. We hope the swim will take us between 8 to 12 hours. Swimmers will need to bring bags full of mental and physical determination for this challenging swim!

We will be training in Jesus Green Lido and hopefully be travelling further afield to Dover Beach to help acclimatise to the sea conditions and cold water.

We would like to thank you so much for all the support you are able to give us! The money raised will be going to a fantastic cause and also to help cover the substantial costs of boat hire, registration with the Channel Swimming Association and transport to Dover.

Siobhán, Alex, Almudena,Rebecca, Tads, Weiyi and Sasha