In 2025 the bi-annual Varsity Channel Relay is almost upon us, where a team of Oxford University's finest swimmers shall battle the wild waters of the English Channel to beat Cambridge to France. The race, from Dover to Calais, will take place in the week of 11-17th July 2025, and we need your help to get there.

This contest has been an important fixture in the Varsity calendar since 1988 and is not only a great physical contest, but has also served as a great opportunity to raise funds for worthy causes. This time, we are raising money, alongside Cambridge, for Ocean Conservation Trust. Their ground-breaking work protecting & restoring vital Ocean habitats is more important than ever, and supporting them feels like the perfect way of giving back to the environment in which our great open water adventure takes place. Half of all money raised on this page will be donated to them, and if we reach our target then ALL further donations will go directly to the charity.

The relay consists of hour-long rotations, with three men and three women alternating through the night until the French coastline is reached. Wetsuits are not permitted regardless of conditions, so all that is protecting the swimmers from the icy water (and jellyfish) is a swimming costume, swim hat and a pair of goggles.

Our last two attempts have been the fastest mixed relays across the channel in their respective years, so this is serious business and competition for places on this team were hard fought. Our athletes are training hard and can't wait to get going, but we can't do this without your help to get us there!