Channel Crossing Association: Your Guide to swimming the English Channel

ABOUT THE CHANNEL CROSSING ASSOCIATION (CCA)

The Channel Crossing Association (CCA) is an internationally recognised association dedicated to supporting swimmers who dream of crossing the English Channel. It is not a duplicate of the Channel Swimming Association (CSA) but exists to facilitate a range of activities which fall outside of the traditional CSA format.

Whether you are planning for your first solo swim, joining a relay team or looking to complete a wetsuit swim the CCA is here to guide you through the process.

We provide advice and support from the initial stages of planning and training, through to the swim itself. Our team helps swimmers understand what is involved, the rules that apply to Channel swimming, and the requirements for completing an official crossing. We are not constrained by traditional rules, and can assist you in anyway.

For many swimmers, crossing the English Channel is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. The CCA is here to promote the sport and help ensure that every swimmer has the opportunity to take on the challange properly prepared and informed.

THE ROLE OF THE CHANNEL CROSSING ASSOCIATION (CCA)

The CCA plays an important role in ensuring that English Channel swimming attempts are properly organised, safely conducted, and officially recognised. We work with experienced pilots and ensure that they hold the appropriate qualifications and that their escort boats are properly equipped, maintained, and suitable for a Channel crossing.

One of the CCA’s roles is to help ensure that swimmers are well-prepared before undertaking an official attempt. This includes checking that they have completed the necessary medical examinations and recognised qualifying swim, and that they are ready to meet the physical and practical demands of this challenge. During an official attempt, your pilot will provide us with the start and finish times of your swim, along with the start and landing locations. If you wish to have a CCA observer on board, they will record the relevant details of your swim. This process helps ensure that successful crossings can be properly verified and recognised by the CCA.

From the preparation stages through to the crossing itself, our role is to help maintain the standards and traditions of Channel swimming while providing swimmers with a fair, safe, and properly managed opportunity to achieve their goal.

If you would like to know more about the requirements for an English Channel crossing, please contact the CCA.

THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

The English Channel separates southern England from northern France at its narrowest point. It is approximately 18 nautical miles (21 miles/34 km) from shakespeare Beach to Cap Gris-Nez, in a straight line.

It is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, with thousands of commercial vessels passing through each week. Container ships, tankers, and ferries all share these waters.

Four swimmers, the channel offers a consistently changing experience. Water temperatures, weather and sea conditions can vary considerably throughout the swim season, making every crossing different requiring swimmers to adapt to the conditions. The channel is also home to a rich variety of marine life, including jellyfish, seals and porpoises.

Since captain, Matthew Webb became the first person to swim the Channel in 1875, swimmers from around the world have travelled to the Channel to take on what has become one of the world's most iconic open water swims.

For many open water swimmers the question "Have you swum the channel?" Remains one of the ultimate measures of achievement.

UPDATED INFORMATION

Following a meeting involving the Channel Swimming Association, Channel Crossing Association, Channel Swimming Pilotage Federation, Channel Swimming & Pilotage Services, and Coastguards from both France and the UK, it has been agreed by all that the swim season will now run from 1st April to 31st October each year. This is first and foremost to protect the safety and welfare of swimmers and the support craft involved. Any swims outside of this period will not be accepted on the grounds of safety.

Channel Crossing Association

Channel Crossing Association

WHAT IS THE CCA ?

ABOUT THE CHANNEL CROSSING ASSOCIATION (CCA)

THE ROLE OF THE CHANNEL CROSSING ASSOCIATION (CCA)

THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

UPDATED INFORMATION

Contact Us

Send Message

Channel Crossing Association

Channel Crossing Association

WHAT IS THE CCA ?

ABOUT THE CHANNEL CROSSING ASSOCIATION (CCA)

THE ROLE OF THE CHANNEL CROSSING ASSOCIATION (CCA)

THE ENGLISH CHANNEL.

UPDATED INFORMATION

Contact Us

Send Message

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