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Firstly a few facts on the English Channel:

1. The first channel swim was in 1875 - in the subsequent 147 years there have only been just under 12 successful channel swim crossings per year.  Less than half the number of people who have climbed Everest have swum the channel.
2. Due to the tides the distance swum can vary from 35-56 kms
3. No wetsuits are allowed - only swimming hat, goggles and your costume.  You can grease yourself but no one does these days.
4. Water temperature can drop to 6 degrees C but should be about 16 degrees C at the time of our swim.
5. Marine animals you are likely  to encounter include pilot whales, sharks, dolphins, seals and MANY jellyfish.
6. It is the busiest shipping channel in the world
   

When Matt Turner first thought about swimming The Channel in 2018 he talked to anyone that would listen.  Anyone that showed the slightest interest was added to The List. Anyone that showed no interest was added to The List.  In late 2021 a date was confirmed, the Pilot Boat booked and work on The List began ...

The List was whittled down and a team of 8 "volunteered". The list consists of Matt Turner, Jessica Belcher, Duncan McClure Fisher, Will Turner, Charles-John Donley, Rupert Hill, Nick Moses and Eric Kump - yes it is clear we are all crazy. Why are we doing it? We want to prove that normal people can try and outperform what everyone thinks and we can individually achieve what we set our hearts and minds on, despite the odds.

Training began many months ago in cold waters wherever they were - in rivers, seas - as long as the temperature was below 16 degrees.

Now our window to cross the channel is looming - which could be any day from 18-26 August depending on the pilot boats decision on tide and weather.

We are nervously excited to begin our challenge.  Please help us get through it by donating to Cancer Research, chosen because it has affected and continues to affect family and close friends.  It will help get us across the channel and through the shipping lanes, smacks of jelly fish and pods of other nasties we may come across!

Whatever the outcome Oceans Eight would like to say a special thanks to Nick Adams.  He has swum the channel 17 times, helped us book the slot and boat, and helped all of us with invaluable and at times scary views and advice.  Without Nick none of this would be happening.

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