Laura's Channel Solo Swim

Laura Sharpe is raising money for Aspire
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Laura’s Channel Solo Swim · 9 August 2023

Every two hours someone in the UK is paralysed by a spinal cord injury. It can happen to anyone at any time and no one is prepared for how it will change their life. Aspire is a national charity that provides practical help, supporting spinal cord injured people from injury to independence.

Story

It’s the big one ! After all the many swims I have done it’s been leading to this and I think it’s time to give this one a go, still feel a bit sick saying it out loud!

I’m going to try and swim the Channel Solo 😬

In August I will take on my biggest swim yet! Depending on tides I will swim 21 Miles solo from England to France, follow my training on my Instagram account @laurafromthelakes

The English Channel spans approximately 21 miles (33.8 kilometres) of unpredictable currents, tides, jelly fish, and cold water. All whilst being the world’s busiest shipping lane with 500-600 ships passing through it each day. I am expecting the swim to take anywhere between 14-17 hours, but it could very easily take longer should the weather not be favourable. Completing the swim is not a forgone conclusion at all. Many people take 2 or 3 attempts to make the crossing. That being said, I feel I have put myself in the best position to make an attempt to do so at the beginning of August, To answer a few questions I have already been asked !

Yes it will be cold, hopefully around a balmy 18 degrees, but you all know how much I love swimming in cold water !  I’ve had to swim 6 hours under 16 degrees to qualify to even attempt the swim !

No I am not wearing a wetsuit, rules are only a swimming costume, hat and Goggles ! (No goose fat will be involved)

I do feed but in the water, I don’t get out until I hit France!

Yes, I will be swimming in the dark, I have tried this already and really love it 

Yes, there will be jellyfish (amongst other things) seaweed, rubbish, ferries





Every 8 hours in the UK, someone’s life is irrevocably changed due to Spinal Cord Injury; Beyond paralysis, effects are far reaching and can have dramatic consequences on airways, voiding, skin, fertility, bone health, life expectancy, relationships, housing, education,. Aspire supports people with spinal cord injuries from injury to independence through the use of specialised equipment, housing, assistive technology and independent living advice



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