Channel Swimming Organizations

Channel Swimming Association

Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation

Swim Registration Options

The Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF) and the Channel Swimming Association (CSA) are currently the only bodies providing safe coverage and official monitoring of traditional (Regulation swim suit with no aids) across the English Channel. Each has its own comprehensive web-site with links as provided here.

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

Traditional 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 reported 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.