Almost every other year since 1988, Cambridge and Oxford Universities have raced across the English Channel in the Varsity Channel Relay. Six swimmers, three male and three female, from each university race across the English Channel in hour long rotations from Dover until the French coastline of Calais is reached. The first ever race saw both teams starting in Dover and reaching France within 2 minutes of each other and according to the rules of the competition, the race was declared a draw. In the most recent event in 2021, Oxford stole the victory. Wetsuits are not permitted, so all that is protecting the swimmers from the 16 degree water (and jellyfish!) is a swimming costume, swim hat and a pair of goggles. Swimmers need to bring bags full of mental and physical determination for this challenging swim!
In July 2023, BSSC University Squad member Ellie Mason was selected as part of the Cambridge team and she shared her experience with our swimmers:
We kicked off at 10 to 3 on Friday morning with our first swimmer Flynn battling not only the toughest weather conditions but also the dark. Captain Evie took over for leg 2 and as a seasoned sea swimmer the water and dark didn’t phase her! By my swim at leg 6 (starting at 8.50am) we were in the uncharted waters and thus I was faced with the most debris, the changing currents and hundreds of jellyfish!! I managed to escape with only two bad stings (one to my nose and one on my thigh), and took us safely into French water. By 12pm France was 6km out and our 4th swimmer Jas was ready for her 2nd swim; with the performance of the day sprinted from the start, covering 6km in 47mins with the tide helping her. We touched in a time of 9hr47 minutes. Sadly ‘the other place’ beat us in an amazing time of 9hr3 minutes, but we still managed to beat the last Cambridge time set in 2021 !! Thank you, and the club, for all the support in reaching our fundraising goal for Parkinson’s UK and Cancer Research !!
Congratulations to Ellie and the whole team for their achievement!
In memory of Nick Thomas, the cofounder of the relay, the Cambridge team is raising money for Cancer Research UK. They are also raising money for Parkinson’s UK, with 25% of the money raised going to Cancer Research UK and 25% to Parkinson’s UK. The rest of the money raised will be going to help cover the substantial costs of boat hire, registration with the Channel Swimming Association and transport to Dover. Their JustGiving page can be found here.
