Swansea to Ilfracombe
Swansea to Ilfracombe is the longest route swum between Wales and England, with a distance of over 25 miles!! It was first swum by Gethin Jones in 2009. In 2016, Sian Clement became the second person and first female to swim the route knocking an incredible 7 hours off Geths time!
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In 2021 a non ratified swim (wetsuit solo) made it across and in early 2022, a relay team made it from Ilfracombe to Lighthouse Island, just off the Mumbles and in September 2022, two people swam solos in one day; doubling the list! This route really really needs some more names adding to it; will you be next?!
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This route is the one adopted by Guinness World Records for the "fastest Bristol Channel Swims" as it is closest in distance to similar channels around the world (English and North Channels for example).
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Ratified Swims
Sophie swam from Ilfracombe on the 9 September 2023, landing at Oxwich on the Gower in a time of 21 hours, 3 minutes and 39 seconds. This is the fourth longest swim in the Bristol Channel by time and the longest female Bristol Channel swim ever recorded. Details here.
Phil was first breastroke swim on this route. Ratified by the BCSA. Details here.
Fergal Swam in September 2022, becoming the third person to complete this route, fastest male so far, first Irishman and first male to complete the OTC with a 25mile Bristol Channel swim! Swim report here.
Sian Clement
23/7/2016
14:01:00
Sian was the second person to swim Ilfracombe to Swansea, completeing her swim on the 23 July 2016 in 14 hours and 1 minute. Her swim was ratified with the MSF and is an MSF documented swim; link here
Gethin Jones
13/9/2009
21:39:00
Geth was the first person to swim this route and a huge supporter of opening up the Bristol Channel to swimmers. This website owes a lot to him. He swam on the 13th September 2009, completing his swim in 21 hours 39 minutes. Link to some more details of Geth's swim here.