RIO 2016

VAI BRASIL!!!

The English Channel and the Channel Swimming Association

The CSA

The Channel Swimming Association is the governing body of English Channel swimming and since March of 1927 has been organizing and regulating all swim attempts. All the swims are officially observed by its designated officials and are faithfully recorded in the Association’s Official Handbook. Many Long-Distance Swimmers strive to join the ranks of the famous few, who have conquered “The Channel” in the Strait of Dover and, to have a successful swim officially ratified and recorded by the CSA represents the highest swim pinnacle of success. (Extracted from the CSA book ISBN 978-1-906299-31-6)


Captain Matthew Webb was the first person observed to have successfully swum from Dove, England to Calais, France in 1875. His crossing time was 21 hours and forty five minutes.


On August 6th 1926 Gertrude Ederle, a nineteen year old American lady, was the first woman to swim the Channel, from England to France, in 14:39 hours, setting a new world record.


The CSA also set rules for relay teams, allowing them to be authenticated. Relays of 2,3,4,5,6 swimmers are allowed. On July 6th 2002, I was part of the San Francisco Sunrisers, a six man relay team. We crossed the Channel in 13:03 minutes. I had the chance to start the swim from Shakespeare Beach, swim the 7th hour and I had the honor to swim the 13th hour and the remaining 3 minutes, finishing the crossing with my teammate, Rhys Ludlow.


From left to right: Jim Miller, Dan Needhan, Steven Ray, Edison Peinado, Pedro Ordenez and Rhys Ludlow; celebrating the crossing.