Ben's 2014 Swim

The challenge

In 2012 I was due to swim the English Channel but due to bad weather I was unable to start and had to return home neither satisfied nor defeated (see blog on this site).

In July 2014 I will go again, and am due to swim between 1st & 10th in the first tide of the season.

As always, I am fundraising for a cause I am passionate about Opportunity International Australia.  Money raised forms the basis of many small (~$200) loans to women in the Philippines and India who are helped to start and grow businesses.  This enables them to help themselves and their families out of abject poverty.  As the loans get repaid they are recycled to other women, and so the virtuous cycle continues. 

The English Channel is regarded as the 'Everest' of ocean swimming. The waters between Dover (UK) and Calais (France) attract swimmers from all over the world. To date less than 1,500 solo swimmers have completed the 34km (21 miles) swim.  I am determined to be one of them.

To be 'officially' recognised as an English Channel swimmer I will swim under the rules of the Channel Swimming Association. The rules require a swimmer to complete the distance without assistance and wearing only bathers and a standard swimming cap. No wet-suits or shark cages allowed.  An observer from the CSA will be on the boat to ensure I completed the swim within the rules.