Place of Birth: Folkestone, UK
Current City: Derry
Swimming Bio
Ray swam his first long distance swim in 1964 from Rathnullan to Buncrana, Lough Swilly, Co. Donegal. He would go on to complete this swim 10 times, including a two way crossing in 1966. He would also complete several swims in cold waters around Donegal and Lough Foyle, Buncrana to Portsalon, Portrush to Greencastle, and Derry to Moville. Ray later competed in races across Lough Neagh, Belfast Lough, Rathlin Sound, and the British Championships at Lake Windermere. He was coach to the Irish Lada Junior Relay Team which set a Channel Record, and this stood for over 20 years.
Swimmer's Report - English Channel
Direction: France to England
On July 31, 1970 at 5:15pm, Ray waded into the water at Cape Griz Nez. Ray received information on his progress via a blackboard; he would be sustained with cups of beef tea and encouragement from his support team. As he swam through the night he followed the torches and a lamp that hung from the boat. Ray felt the cold of the Channel and his body neared exhaustion as day broke. His hands and feet touched down on the sandy shores of East Wear Beach, just east of his birthplace, Folkestone. He finished at 6.56am.
Ray's time was 13 hours and 41 minutes.
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