CHANNEL SWIM INFORMATION SHEET
NEAP TIDES -- WEB SITES -- PILOTS CONTACTS -- WEATHER -- SWIM PERIOD
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Below is some of the information that might help in the preparation and registration involved in getting started with the searches, reservations and registration systems reference swimming the English Channel.
It will give you a starting point and assist in answering most of the questions that someone seriously contemplating swimming the English Channel needs to know. There is a lot more information within this web sites pages.
You should also read through the CS&PF web site www.cspf.co.uk information and RULES if you are looking at a "Standard swim" attempt.
English Channel swimming is part of the "open water swimming sport" and is divided into 2 main groups at the moment:
- "Standard swims" ---- swims attempted with us in a standard costume usually under the registration and rules of the CS&PF (Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation)
Our escort boats and pilots/crews complete our standard swims within the CS&PF structure, registration and rule.
WET SUIT SWIMS - Swims that are attempted a wet suit can not be attempted or ratified under the CS&PF or the CSA ltd rules and they will not be observed, registered or ratify English Channel swims if completed in a wet suit.
2. We can assist and escort Wet Suit swims under the Seacraft/ CS&PS rules structure and will ratify these swims.
CS&PS is an abbreviation for (Channel Swimming & Piloting Services).
Wet suit swims CS&PS - The registration for and recognition of Wet Suit swims is available through Pedro Boats UK,Seacraft / CS&PS (Channel Swimming & Piloting Services). See the page link to Wet suit swims in the Left Hand Panel for more information.
"Standard swims" CS&PF - These swims are the swims completed under the CS&PF rules. See the CS&PF web site www.cspf.co.uk
The CS&PF is now the bigger of the 2 organisations reference "standard" English Channel Swimming.
The CS&PF office database has a comprehensive list of "standard" English Channel swims that have been ratified by a recognised organisation. It includes the latest list of the swimming records for all the ratified swim attempts since Captain Webb in August 1875.
The Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation is run by volunteers - not paid staff - who are there to help swimmers realise their dreams of attempting to swim the English Channel. While It does its best to manage things efficiently please remember that the volunteers all have other work to do and full time businesses to run or jobs to go to.
The CS&PF are recognised as one of the Governing bodies of English Channel Swimming as well as being a world wide club offering assistance and guidance to anyone who has a "English Channel dream"
Please understand that Channel Swimming is an “Extreme & Endurance” sport. Safety has to come first, second and third. This is the reason there are rules that the pilots and organisations work under and the paperwork requested which is to make your swim attempt as safe as possible.There are also regulations and requirements in place with regard to both the British and French authorities that need to be worked within as you are now leaving the UK and entering the French/EU waters and when you reach the Uk boarders mid Channel .
You have a "Duty of Care" to yourself and your team to be as 'best prepared' as possible and understand the task you are taking on.
If you need help and information setting up your swim, training or general advise the best way to get it is through the web pages. That way you can ask questions, add your comments, and get a lot of help and advice from other swimmers and trainers. You can also find out if anyone local to you is training for a swim or has tried one. There are a number of "chat/swim" sites open to swimmers via the internet that can be found by internet searches.
You can check the availability of CS&PF / CS&PS pilots and reserve places with them by going to the pilots directly.
By going direct to the pilot you will find out first hand what is still available and the terms they operate under.
The CS&PF do not have any involvement with the Pilot's swim reservation process, pilots swim contracts or the payment of fees. Pilot contracts and fees vary from pilot to pilot.
For our escort vessels see the "Pilots & Escort boats" pages and the "Contact Us" pages.
Do not commit yourself to a pilot booking until you are sure you want to make an attempt.
You will be signing a legally binding agreement and any fees paid are NON REFUNDABLE.
You will have to pay a booking fee to confirm your place. Once you have decided to make
You will be committing your self/team to the pilots agreeed terms and swim reservation dates and to pay the booking fee or deposit to confirm your reservation.
Your pilot will advise you what happens next. Make sure you understand how the pilots work and what their terms of business are as laid out in their contracts. Confirm payment methods and when the deposits need to be paid by.
Your pilots swim contract is an agreement between you and the pilot, no other 3rd parties are involved.
The pilots all run the own businesses as seperate concerns working to their own parameters.
You should keep a copy of everything in a personal file for future reference. Always keep a copy of the pilot contract and the CS&PF registration information plus any medical forms.
The swim CS&PF / CS&PS registration and swim fees are a separate item to your pilots fees.
You will be sent out or given the online links to the required paperwork once you and your pilot has confirmed your reservation and contact details have been completed.
The pilot will inform the office after the 1st January when they have received the completed contracts and deposits.
The registration paperwork is sent out from the beginning of January in the year of your swim for completion in the year of your swim.
This is usually a online link by e-mail from the CS&PF for "standard " swims and by e-mail from the CS&PS for "wet suit" swims
The REGISTRATION system starts from 1st JANUARY in the YEAR OF YOUR SWIM.
YOU MUST complete the paperwork and return it to the relevant office as soon as possible.
CS&PF "standard swim" Application forms must be submitted by the 31st April
The British and French authorities request they are sent the years swim list as soon as possible after the 1st June.
If you can not work within this time frame YOU MUST talk to the office well in advance to see what can be arranged.
ALL CS&PF SWIM APPLICATIONS NOT COMPLETED ON TIME CAN BE CANCELED BY THE CS&PF OFFICE AS OF THE 1st JUNE.
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SWIM PERIODS
We often get asked, "When is the best time to swim"? This is a complicated question to answer.
Open water extreme endurance swimming , by its nature, is a challenge against the elements and very unpredictable.
English Channel swimming in considered to be the "EVEREST" of open water swimming and possibly the worlds top recognised swim. You are up against a micro climate that is subject to quick changes - the wind and the tides - cold water - distance (around 20 nautical miles - 40,000yards - 37000 metres).
You need to understand your own abilities as these very considerably from person to person and you need to best prepared to swim within your abilities with an understanding of the extremities you are setting yourself against.
The period you choose to swim is a personal one and often depends on what Lance, Tana and myself have available between us. We reserve swims for 2 of our escort vessels and take reservations for 2/3 years in advance.
As to when is a good time to swim - there isn't one.
The weather in the English Channel is very unpredictable and there are no known "calm periods" as such. It has a micro climate of its own which is effected by wind direction and strength - tidal direction and flow rate - sea conditions swell and wave height. Condition - plus high and low pressure areas. Then there is the cold water - the distance - the marine traffic. You need to understand that you take it all as it is thrown at you and should be prepare for every eventuality.
As a guide!
The Channel Swimming season usually starts in June and runs until the beginning/ middle of October.
In June and early July the water is still warming up and can be anything around the 15°C to 16°C (58 to 61°F) mark - the days are longer and the air temperature usually "warm".
At the end of July beginning of August the water is warming up - around the 17°C (62°F) and the air temperature is still good but the weather can be unsettled.
End of August and beginning of September the water should be about 18°C, possibly moreto - but the days are getting shorter and the air temperature is often dropping to the 15°C 58°F mark.
Mid to the end of September even into October the water is often at its warmest but the days are short and the air temperature during daylight is often around the same as the water temperature or lower. The nights can be cold.
A quick summery is that ---
No time is a good time and we cannot predict what is going to happen with the weather and conditions much more than 5 days in advance, a couple of days in advance is often the limit. This applies to any time of the year for the Channel.
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WEATHER FORECASTS and SEA CONDITIONS
Weather Forecasts can be obtained from many different sources on the internet.
http://www.windy.com ----- Is the main one most of the pilots use. Everything can be easily and quickly sourced from this site. It is a free site or there is an option for a paid premium site if you prefer a bigger forecast with more detail.
http://www.Ventussky.com --- A simpler version of the above Windy site but slightly different layout. with lots of information. Everything can be easily and quickly sourced from this site. It is a free site.
http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=62304 --- Sandette lightship weather site - 24 hour record of what is actually happening in the Channel in real time.
http://www.xcweather.co.uk ---- A interesting site for weather around the UK and Europe. It is linked to the data buoys like the one above and gives you a five day prediction. This site is good to watch but is not very accurate for forecasting in advance. It is a good example of how the "predictions" vary from the "actual" wind. It will help you realise the Channel is a very unpredictable and temperamental place.
Just -- "Hope for best and prepare/ expect the worst." – That’s Channel swimming.
We tend to use the internet professional sites -- www.windy.com & www.ventsky.com as they give very localised conditions and dates
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WEB SITES
www.cspf.co.uk --- Is the official CS&PF web site for "Standard swims". This site has the CS&PF RULES which include "standard" swim rules plus the Federation setup and a lot of other useful information which includes the pilot information and, during the swim season, the escort vessel live racking site.
www.channelswimming.net & www.channelswimming.uk --- They are now linked web sites and include the official Pedro Boats UK and Seacraft/ CS&PS information.
Both site cover "Wet Suit swims" and there registration details plus other information reference planning a Channel Swims. The other work aspects and parameters of Pedro Boats UK and Seacraft/CS&PS are also explained.
www.Pedroboatsuk.com -- is a general information site with regard to business activities and information reference Dover sea school.
www.doverseaschool.co.uk --- is the active Dover Sea School web site
www.adventurerowing.co.uk --- Is our Adventure Gig open water rowing web site for extreme endurance rowing
There are a large number of web sites and internet links that might interest swimmers that can be easily searched for via google.
U-Tube has vidieos and stories from the swimming world that could help swim planning and expand on personal experiances.
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OUR ESCORT VESSEL & PILOT/CREW information
See the "Escort Boat" and "Contact Us" links on the left hand page.
Our pilots swim fees are usually set around the end of October in the year before your swim season reservation. This is because this is
usually the earliest period when the pilots can assess their expenses for the coming year.
As a guide, our pilot/escort boat fees for the 2026 season are set at £4200 for a 1-way crossing - £8400 for a 2-way crossing.
The non-returnable booking fee for 2026 is £600 once you have secured a swim period reservation. You will then receive your pilots contract in the November of the yeasr prior to your booking dates for you to agree, sign and return to your pilot along with your deposit to confirm your reservation. You will have until a date set for mid January to return them.
When we have received your completed pilot contract we will send our swim list to the CS&PF office at the beginning of January.
If you are booking a swim with another pilot be aware the pilots all have different systems, contract wording and payment dates.
Check the contract terms and conditions with your pilot BEFORE you commit to a reservation place and make any payment of booking fees or deposits as they are all are non- refundable if you cancel after their payment.
The booking fee and contract deposit confirms your reservation period and is one of the the references used by the offices to send out the application and medical forms.
The pilot has the right to re-book your place if deposits and contracts are not completed and returned within their set dates.
For your own peace of mind complete your paperwork early.
The office decision is final reference all registration matters not covered in the rules and once any registration completion dates have past.
The 6 hour assessment swim for solo swimmers can be completed at any time up from 18 months to 14 days before your swim tide starts.
The 1.5 + 1 hour assessment swim for relay team members is the same - completion can be from 18 months to 14 days before your swim tide starts
The team leader of any relay swim is responsible for co-ordinating and collecting the proof of assessment swims. These assessment swims are "to make sure swimmers are aware of the challenge they are taking up" and to give them a taste of what to expect. They are short swims compared to the actual crossing and should become a distance that is often exceeded while training. DO NOT treat them as a training target for a successful swim, they should by part of your personal risk assessment and Duty of Care program.
English Channel Swimming is an Extreme endurance Sport that can result in injury or even death. By confirming the assessment swims you are confirming you are trying to understand the risks involved and you accept the responsibility of assessing your abilities to make your attempt.
Team leaders are undertaking the responsibility of the risk assessment on behalf of the relay team swim members they are organising. Make sure everything is completed correctly and your assessments are rationalised and valid for the attempt you, or your group are undertaking.
All assessment swims have to be ratified in writing by the swimmer and the person who has observed while the swim took place.
There is a swim assessment form on the CS&PF web site that can be easily downloaded.
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PILOT BOOKING PRIORITY SYSTEM;
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE YOU (and your relay team members) ARE AVAIABLE FOR ALL OF THE TIDAL PERIOD YOU HAVE CONTRACTED TO SWIM IN REGUARDLESS OF THE SWIM POSITION YOU ARE BOOKED IN.
The usual system used by the pilots for booking priority is that pilots book up to 4 places per each set of neap tides and, usually 3 places on the Spring tides. Check with your pilot to confirm his system.
These swims are in order of number 1 first then down in priority to number 4.
This is the order in which the swimmers are "OFFERED A CHANCE TO SWIM".
The Swimmers abilities and wishes are all different and Channel swimming is very dependant on the weather so if the pilot thinks the conditions are good enough for a Channel swim to go ahead first swimmer in line is offered the chance to swim. If they decide not to swim
and say “No” the swim place will be offer to the next in line - and so on until someone accepts the offer or everyone has turned it down.
On the next good swim day the system starts again with the 1st in line being offered the swim and then to the remaining swimmers in their priority.
This system means that the number 1 person can choose the day they want to swim on but if they decline to swim other swimmers get the option offered to them on that tide.
Once a swimmer has been offered an option to swim the pilots contract will be considered to have been honoured.
PILOTS CONTACTS
The pilots swim contract is made directly with the pilot you choose and is a business agreement between you and the pilot.
The pilots/ vessel owners are financially independent businesses and operate as businesses in their own rights.
All the CS&PF skippers/pilots are commercially certificated and qualified as required by the MCA to captain their vessels and pilot swim attempts. All the pilot vessels are commercially certificated as required by law. They are registered with the British and French Coastguard's annually and with both the CS&PF and CS&PS.
A Guide to the successful booking procedure
1. Select the year and tidal period you want to book. Check with the pilots to see which pilots have places free. Confirm the reservation with the pilot of your choice for the tidal period you want.
2. The pilot will hold the swim position requested for a short period and e-mail you to confirm the booking fee payment required.
3. AGREE TREMS: Confirm your acceptance of the position offered, pay the booking fee, complete and return any paperwork involved.
4. The pilot will confirm the reservation, send you instructions and advise as to when the pilots contract will be sent to you.
5. When you receive your pilots contract - Sign and return your contract with your deposit by the set date to finalise your booking.
6. The pilot will inform the revelant office of your confirmed reservation once you have completed and returned your pilots paperwork.
You also need to tell the office you have completed the pilots paperwork and supply your contract details.
This can be by e-mail sent to: office@cspf.co.uk fror standard swims or for wet suit swims to csps.office@btinternet.com
Make sure you are definitely prepared to commit yourself to booking the swim place before finalising it. Please note the pilots booking fees and deposits are non returnable and payment is required to confirm the swim place reservation.
If you have a problem with the deadlines talk to your pilot - They can not guarantee to be able to solve your concerns but they will try.
Applications and bookings made after the deadlines can be processed by the office but only by prior arrangement and they can not guarantee they will be completed in time for the swim if it is at short notice.
Talk to the office before committing to a booking with the pilot if you are making a late reservation.
Please read the CS&PF or CS&PS swim rules - pilots escort contracts - and the registration forms fully and understand them before completing and signing them. They are legally binding agreement and explain what you are committing yourself or your team to.
If you need conformation ask for it and confirm any decisions in writing.
Please keep a copy of all your paperwork.
NOTE: The main points are often repeated more than once above to try and make sure you know exactly what you are contemplating and how the system works.