Lucy, Team Wolf 2023

"I just wanted to email to say a massive thank you to Aspire!  I absolutely loved the experience of the channel swim – from the excellent training weekends, clear communication, team morale and all underlined by the incredible Aspire team. So happy to have supported Aspire and taken on this challenge – you made the whole thing incredible."

Virginia, Team Zebra 2022 

"The Aspire training weekends were absolutely brilliant, ticking every single box for us landlocked swimmers. They ran like clockwork, the information was up to date and crystal clear and the build up from 40 minutes in the water to three 1½ hour swims, the taster boat and the night swim was absolutely perfect. We could not have asked for a better introduction and build up to the real thing." 

Stella, Team Terrier 2021

“My advice to others who are taking on this challenge would be, without a doubt, to do the taster boat session as this gave me an idea of what I should expect and how I could best prepare myself. I was lucky that the taster boat was on the same boat that we actually crossed the channel in, so I knew how much space there would be as well as meeting the boat pilots beforehand. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who is involved in the organisation of the event. I feel well supported and it has been so much fun.” 

Ruth, Team Kookaburra 2020

“We had our boat leader Des looking out for us. Each Aspire team is allocated a boat leader to help guide them through the daunting prospect of training, share advice and have the incredibly important job of looking after the team during the actual swim. Des had swum in a relay team the year before so was our source of all knowledge. Thank you to Aspire for giving us the opportunity to take part in something amazing. And finally, thank you Des for being our biggest fan. We will be forever grateful.” 

Belinda, Team Frogfish 2018

“Without the help of the wonderful people at Aspire, I would not have made it to France with my team. Fact. Aspire assisted me every step of the way.  When I doubted whether I could continue, I was given encouragement, support, advice and guidance. The kindness and support shown to me was incredible, humbling and at times completely overwhelming. If this is in any way indicative of the support that the charity provides to those with spinal cord injuries then this is a truly special and unique charity, one which will now always remain close to my heart.” 

Sarah, Team Crocodile 2015

"Just wanted to say thanks for everything.  I am beyond grateful for being accepted to do the relay in the first place and for the training weekends and organisation.  I am properly delighted at managing to raise so much money for a brilliant cause.  The channel swim itself was AMAZING (apart from feeling dog-rough for a couple of hours).  I loved swimming in the dark, through jelly fish and in rough seas (sort of)… "It is a massive personal achievement and lovely to be part of a great team - they are a fab bunch. I ache now!" (This was the day after Sarah’s crossing)." 

Sophie, Team Seal 2012

"Taking on this challenge has been an incredible experience; I've never met so many inspirational people or been in such a positive and supportive environment before.  If you think you want to take on the Channel, I have two words for you: DO IT!"

Richard, Orca boat 2012

"One of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The sense of achievement is huge, I would recommend it to anyone." 

Jill, Manx Minke boat, 2012

"The support Aspire has provided has been absolutely excellent.  There is an initial assessment day followed by training advice when your place is confirmed, emails to remind you when it is time to ditch the wetsuit, and when to start upping the training times in cold water!  Training at Dover in the summer over three weekends is amazing."  

 Regina, Otter boat & Penguin boat, 2012

"You share the training highs, enjoy good laughs on training days in Dover, when you're unsure about your training, you can freely voice your fears and get support from your team mates, and once you are on the boat and mid Channel, the strength of camaraderie from your team is so strong, you feel that you would do anything to ensure your team's success in crossing the Channel!  A brilliant experience, so brilliant I swam it twice in 2012 and am now preparing for a 2-way relay and a solo in 2013." 

Colin, Team Shark 2011

"I drove away from Dover Harbour on Sunday 7th August 2011, not as usual returning from a holiday, but after completing one of the most challenging and inspiring achievements of my life.  In the previous six months I, along with my team mates, had entered the world of Channel Swimming and experienced the camaraderie that relay swimming builds.  My name - along with Kate, Meg, Russell, Neil and Adrian - is now on the ceiling of the White Horse Pub in Dover in celebration of our feat. Our names sit alongside the names of other relay teams and many solo swimmers who have mastered the 21 miles of the English Channel. If you get the chance I recommend you get your name on that ceiling. You will not regret the experience." 

Kay, 2010 

"I applied to join the Aspire Channel relay team in 2010 and nearly two years later, I don't regret it for one minute.  I have met like-minded people from around the country and I know we will be friends for a long time, as sharing something as exciting and huge as swimming the Channel will keep us together for a lifetime." 

I'd like to swim the Channel with Aspire

Relay Channel Swim