British channel swimming is always the first consideration when considering swimming expertise. At the shortest point, the distance between the British and French coastlines is only 22 miles, but the combination of cold currents and strong currents means that only 10% of people try this feat actually on the other side.

The first attempt was J.B Johnson, who had to quit after more than an hour. Three years later, Paul Boyton used a special prototype buoyancy suit to take it to the other side. However, the first unhelpful swim went to Captain Matthew Webb, who traveled from Dover to Calais 21 hours and 45 minutes after the second attempt.

Curiously, after this success, it has been 35 years before another person registered, despite many attempts. A man, Jabez Wolffe failed in 22 attempts, four of which were less than a mile! Thomas Burgess has achieved better success, and the person who became the second swim channel was the 13th attempt.

The first person to swim in

English Channel Swimming History was originally published on Spring