Story
Hey, I’m Luke Belfield and I’m reattempting to swim the English Channel Solo (yes, really).
I’ve lived with Juvenile Arthritis since I was 11 years old. I’m back for round two after last year’s 10hr 51min very long and expensive dress rehearsal. Turns out the Channel doesn’t do shortcuts and is actually quite far away. Hopefully Poseidon is on my side this attempt.
Track me on Wednesday 8th July here: https://ultraswimming.org/track/english-channel/
I will swim from England to France Solo 🇫🇷🏊🏽♂️🏴 in July 2026 without a wetsuit. This 21 mile slog through freezing, jellyfish filled waters, is the busiest shipping lane in the world; 2,608 people have successfully crossed; more have summited Mount Everest. Early July on a Neap tide is a much better slot than the Spring tide of 28 September (last year's attempt).
The swim and all expenses are paid for out of my personal pocket; 100% of donations go directly to Juvenile Arthritis Research. Last year we raised £10,605 for another charity (Arthritis UK); thank you! No expectation to donate twice (your wallets can relax), but support means everything; shares for awareness, cheers, and moral support all keep me going (especially when it’s cold and questionable). If my determination and grit inspire you, come along for the ride.
https://www.justgiving.com/page/luke-solo-english-channel
Follow on the live tracker: TBC
I’m in the Arthritis Community, a Webinar with Dr Sen at a High School, a speech at the UCLH Town Hall, been interviewed by Sky News, ITV News, BBC Breakfast, Riverside Radio, and an article written by DAZN. I've done two podcasts, Arthur's Place and Swimmingpod. I have talked at two schools about Juvenile Arthritis in front of audiences of 250 students. I attend meetings & annual Away Days with Drs, patients, parents, and researchers (UCLH PPIE, Juvenile Arthritis Research, Arthritis UK).
My mission is to inspire movement in people with Arthritis through this non-contact, non-impact, non-weight-bearing physical outlet. I was misdiagnosed for two years, I had deep shame of having an "old person's disease"; yet JIA impacts thousands of kids; often kids are undiagnosed or misunderstood. I want to help change that narrative, reduce diagnosis time, and give hope that this long term disease doesn't have to be a barrier from achieving their dreams. My hope is to showcase swimming not only as a sport, but as a pathway to healing, community, and long-term wellbeing. I think back to that 11-year-old boy who just wanted to play football. I want to give that child, and thousands like him; hope.
Last year, I attended multiple Juvenile Arthritis Research events, including the F1 bar and being on calls with both patients and parents only. They are a special, small, grass roots charity and I really believe in their cause
I might be the first person with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis to swim the English Channel Solo; db
The donations support research, community, and services to improve patient’s quality of life
Instagram: @arthritisswimmer and YouTube
(Jersey To France Solo Mini-Documentary - 4th July 2025, 31km in 10hrs14mins)
Riverside Radio, Breakfast Show with Jason & Ali.
ITV News: Captain Matthew Webb's 150th Anniversary of Channel Swimming
(Sky News Interview (at the Serpentine Christmas Race) about my English Channel Solo Journey with Arthritis (skip to 10:43))
Arthur's Heroes Podcast: https://arthursplace.co.uk/podcasts/
SwimmingPod Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2HJGBX4XUgGCqF2DISiREC
The English Channel Solo 🇫🇷🏊🏽♂️🏴:
In July 2026, I’ll be reattempting one of the toughest solo challenges: swimming the English Channel in nothing but skins, fully adhering to CS&PF rules; no wetsuit, no touching the boat, non-stop. The journey from England to France spans 34km-42km (or 21 miles point to point), which can take between 7 to 29 hours to finish. Fewer people have swum an English Channel Solo than have climbed Mount Everest, and it’s the busiest shipping lane in the world.
What’s in store? Cold waters (15°C-18°C), pitch-black night swims, unpredictable weather, powerful tides that can double the distance, stinging jellyfish, and random debris. I’ll be eating while swimming, because stopping is not an option. And the start time? I won’t know until the night before, my launch window could be 3 AM or 3 PM, at the mercy of the tides. The swim is brutal; no scenic views, no clear finish line, but it’s a team effort.
I have swum from Jersey to France Solo on 4th July 2025 as well 🇫🇷🏊♂️🇯🇪
Fundraising 💰:
100% of donations go directly to Juvenile Arthritis Research. The swim and all its expenses are paid for out of my personal pocket.
Luke’s Seas, Lakes, & Straits 🏊🏽♂️:
I have spoken about my longer distance swims in 2024 at the Serpentine Swimming Club. And written a blog about swimming cross-continents, from Asia To Europe in the Bosphorus Strait. I will swim Jersey to France in July 2025.
In 2025, I have done four 6 hour qualifying swims, four swimming camps, and 100 100s Off 02:00mins.
Follow My Story:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisswimmer/
https://www.youtube.com/@arthritisswimmer
Arthur's Place Charity: Arthur's Heroes Podcast: https://arthursplace.co.uk/podcasts/