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The Irish Long Distance Swimming Association (ILDSA) has provided authentication observers for swimmers attempting to cross the approx 22 mile span between Northern Ireland and the Mull of Galloway`. According to the ILDSA, this was first accomplished in 1947 by Tom Blower.
About the North Channel Swim
| Location |
Channel between Ireland and Scotland. Also referred to as the Irish Channel. |
| Reasons for Difficulty |
Heavy seas, cold water, thunderstorms and strong currents are among the natural elements that must be overcome in the 33.7K (21 miles) channel. |
| Window of Opportunity |
July through September. |
| Hazards |
Considered to be the most difficult channel swim in the world with the water temperature 54ºF (12ºC), normally overcast days, and tremendous difficulty in accurately predicting weather and water conditions. Swimmers face large pods of jellyfish if conditions are calm. |
| Description |
Has been attempted at least 73 times since 1924, but only 17 successful solo swims and 7 relays have been achieved to date. Most of the attempts have been abandoned due to difficult conditions and hypothermia. |
| Additional Information |
Swim crossings are governed by the rules set by the Irish Long Distance Swimming Association. First attempt was made in 1924 and the first success was 1947. |
Since that time, only 17 solo-swim and 7 relay teams have been successful.
Solo Swims
| Date |
Name |
Origin |
Direction |
Time (Hrs.Mins.Secs) |
| 28/07/1947 |
Tom Blower |
England |
Ireland to Scotland |
15.26.00 |
| 11/09/1970 |
Kevin Murphy |
England |
Ireland to Scotland |
11.21.00 |
| 29/08/1971 |
Kevin Murphy |
England |
Ireland to Scotland |
14.27.00 |
| 11/08/1973 |
Ted Keenan |
Ireland |
Ireland to Scotland |
18.27.00 |
| 22/08/1988 |
Alison Streeter |
England |
Ireland to Scotland |
9.53.42 |
| 23/08/1988 |
Margaret Kidd |
Scotland |
Ireland to Scotland |
15.26.03 |
| 25/08/1989 |
Alison Streeter |
England |
Scotland to Ireland |
10.04.00 |
| 07/09/1989 |
Kevin Murphy |
England |
Scotland to Ireland |
17.17.48 |
| 18/08/1997 |
Alison Streeter |
England |
Scotland to Ireland |
10.02.12 |
| 27/07/1999 |
Paul Lewis |
England |
Scotland to Ireland |
14.28.00 |
| 21/07/2000 |
Stephen Price |
England |
Scotland to Ireland |
16.56.00 |
| 19/09/2008 |
Collen Blair |
Scotland |
Ireland to Scotland |
15.23.59 |
| 31/08/2010 |
Stephen Redmond |
Ireland |
Scotland to Ireland |
17.17.01 |
| 02/09/2010 |
Ann Marie Ward |
Ireland |
Ireland to Scotland |
18.59.26 |
| 27/07/2011 |
Craig Lenning |
USA |
Ireland to Scotland |
14.44.50 |
| 02/08/2011 |
Howard Keech |
Endgland |
Ireland to Scotland |
13.25.00 |
Relay Swims (6 Persons)
| Date |
Team |
Origin |
Direction |
Time (Hrs.Mins.Secs) |
| 27/08/1990 |
Ireland One (ILDSA) |
Ireland |
Ireland to Scotland |
12.03.01 |
| 14/08/1993 |
City of Liverpool |
England |
Ireland to Scotland |
10.39.42 |
| 23/06/1996 |
City of Dublin |
Ireland |
Ireland to Scotland |
12.44.56 |
| 20/08/1999 |
The All American |
USA |
Scotland to Ireland |
13.11.39 |
| 26/08/2002 |
City of Liverpool |
England |
Scotland to Ireland |
12.47.41 |
| 22/08/2011 |
Team Camlough |
Ireland |
Ireland to Scotland |
12.21.12 |
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| Relay Swims (3 Persons) |
| 06/07/2004 |
The Swilly Trio |
Ireland |
Scotland to Ireland |
14.41.14 |
Record Holders
Fastest solo overall
22/8/1988. Alison Streeter (England). Ireland to Scotland. 9 hrs 53 mins 42 secs.
Fastest solo female
22/8/1988. Alison Streeter (England). Ireland to Scotland. 9 hrs 53 mins 42 secs.
Fastest solo male
11/9/1970. Kevin Murphy(England) .Ireland to Scotland. 11 hrs 21 mins.
Fastest Relay Team
14/8/1993. Relay Swim by City of Liverpool. Ireland to Scotland. 10 hrs 39 mins 42 secs.
The most successful attempts
Alison Streeter and Kevin Murphy have both had 3 successful attempts Alison Streeter has 3 successful attempts
2/8/1988. Alison Streeter (England)
25/8/1989. Alison Streeter (England)
18/8/1997. Alison Streeter (England)
Kevin Murphy has 3 successful attempts
11/9/1970. Kevin Murphy(England)
29/8/1971. Kevin Murphy(England)
7/9/1989. Kevin Murphy (England)
1st recorded to swim from Ireland to Scotland
Tom Blower ( England )
1st recorded to swim from Scotland to Ireland
Alison Streeter (England)
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