Swim

While outdoor swimming continues to rise in popularity, the ‘Everest’ of the sport is ever threatened by the commercialisation of our seas, and the increasing demand for more stringent health and safety guidelines. While wild swimming is still attracting the media’s attention, a small community in Dover have been quietly protecting and supporting swimmers wanting to cross the Channel for almost half a century. The swimmers with the right training cross in little more than a pair of speedos, goggles and goose fat.

This is the community’s story and the story of those that seek to push their limits and achieve their unique dream.

The heart of the Channel swimming community can be found on Dover Harbour beach every weekend from May to September come rain or shine. Pensioners, Freda, Irene and Barry form a dynamic trio and volunteer their time to coach, feed and grease up the wannabe swimmers. The small stretch of pebbled beach in Dover sits in the shadow of the ferry port and during the summer months comes alive with stories and laughter of the swimmers as they share their highs and lows both in and out of the water.