Channel Swimming Organizations

Channel Swimming Association

Channel Swimming &
Piloting Federation

Swim Listings and Registration

Listings of CS&PF-monitored swims and their registration process are available from the CS&PF.

For reference purposes, SSO has compiled an unofficial listing of solo, successful English Channel swims - One-Way England-France and France-England, and Solo Multiple crossings (Two-way and three-way, etc.). This listing is taken from material published by the Channel Swimming Association; however, there may have been errors in the transcription of the data.

The complete official listings may be purchased from the Secretary of the Channel Swimming Association at the address shown above. The official listings also include all details of relay teams who have crossed the Channel, as well as the various CSA records and awards. This listing does not include swims conducted under the auspices of the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation, CS&PF - see the adjacent panel.

CSA listings may be purchased by credit card through e-mail. Click on the Secretary's name above to send an e-mail to request details of the cost and ordering procedure to receive a copy of their comprehensive Information Package or Swim Registration Package.

Julian Critchlow has constructed a Master Database utilizing Excel and those files incorporate the swims ratified by both the CSA and CS&PF along with details of the Daily Mail and Butlin races of the 1950s.

Swim Registration Options
Beware - Read Carefully

Channel aspirants should know that there are three web sites offering various support for Channel Swims that are traditional (Regulation swim suit with no aids), non standard (wet suits, mono-fins, etc.), and exhibition swims. The Channel Swimming Association (CSA) and the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF) are currently the only bodies providing safe coverage and official monitoring of traditional cross-Channel swims.

The CSA and CS&PF were established in 1927 and 1999 respectively. Both groups operate as distinctly separate organizations, while seeking to provide safe guidance of swimmers across the Channel and to provide independent observation of the swims in terms of established rules for these swims. The primary difference between the two groups is that the CSA only records swims that have been monitored by one of their official Observers. On the other hand, the CS&PF attempts to maintain a compilation of all of the successful swims that have been officially observed by either the CSA or the CS&PF. So, if you swim with CS&PF do not expect your name to appear in the listings of the CSA.

The absence of an official CSA Observer in the boats of certain swimmers who competed in the Channel races of the 1950s is the reason for their crossings not appearing in the CSA listings. As illustrated in the period prior to the establishment of the CSA in 1927, false claims for Channel crossings are a fact-of-life when people can benefit socially and financially from such claims.

Swimmers should realize that registration with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) of the United Kingdom, or with the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) is unnecessary for Solo Swims, and does not, therefore, reflect any kind of status in the recognition of cross-Channel swims; however, it should be noted that FINA does permit the use of full-body swim suits - but not wet suits - in its open-water competitions.

Non-standard crossings (Swims, rowing events, etc.) may be supported by pilots of the CS&PF; however, the CS&PF does not maintain listings of those crossings. For further advice on support those activities, contact the individual pilots.

Registration fees and pilot fees vary between the CSA and CS&PF - so do your research first - caveat emptor.