Donacarney man completes gruelling 35km swim across the North Channel

Two years after testing their limits in the English Channel, a four-man relay team has successfully conquered what many open-water swimmers consider the ultimate 'Swimming Everest' -the North Channel that runs between Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Martin Gaynor from Donacarney along with Paul Clinton, Blake Boland and Peter Farrelly officially completed the brutal 35-kilometre crossing on Wednesday, 24th June, landing on the Scottish coast after a grueling 13 hours and 27 minutes at sea. Because of the really strong currents, tides and wind they ended up swimming closer to 42km.

Guided by the expert piloting crew at Infinity Channel Swimming led by pilot Jack and co pilot Jan, who were absolutely brilliant, the relay team of four swimmers took turns facing some of the most hostile swimming conditions on the planet. The stretch of water between Donaghadee in County Down and the Mull of Galloway is notorious for its strong currents, extreme cold, changeable winds and lions mane jellyfish.

The achievement is the culmination of a grueling, year-long training regime. The team spent twelve months splitting their time between relentless black-line pool training to build raw fitness and logging endless freezing miles in the open water at Clogherhead to acclimatise their bodies for the swim. Their training also included making sure that they ate the correct food and drink in preparation for the challenge.

To even be permitted onto the start line, each swimmer had to first pass a mandatory two hour continuous swim in sea temp of 14 C or lower. This is to prove that they could handle the cold water, deal with the possible drop in core body temperature. The year of preparation proved vital, as water temperatures in the North Channel dropped below 12°C for portions of the swim, pushing the their bodies to the edge of hypothermia.

The physical toll was magnified by the strict ILDSA channel swim rules governing the crossing. Under official channel swimming regulations, wetsuits or heat-retaining fabrics are completely banned. The swimmer’s were permitted only standard swimming togs, a single cap, and goggles. Each swimmer entered the water to battle the elements for exactly one hour, immediately followed by the next swimmer in a continuous, unbroken chain.

The strategy required absolute precision and discipline. Furthermore, the rules dictate that this strict hourly rotation order cannot alter; if a single swimmer fails to complete their hour or touches the support boat, the entire team attempt is instantly disqualified. The North Channel is also infamous for its swarms of giant Lion’s Mane jellyfish.

Thankfully, luck was on the side of the Channel Chancers for this crossing, as the notorious stingers stayed deep down in the water, allowing the swimmers to focus entirely on their swim pace. Instead, the main battle was against the biting, at times sub-12°C water and shifting tidal currents and wind that constantly pushed the team off course. Their flawless execution on the day proved that every single week of their year-long preparation was vital.

By the time the final swimmer, Paul Clinton, cleared the water and stood on the rugged Scottish shoreline—as required by rule to stop the clock—the time read 13 hours and 27 minutes. The feat cements their place in the exclusive club of athletes who have crossed one of the toughest channels in the world. More people have stood on top of Mount Everest than have swam the North Channel.

The channel chancers have now swam two of the Ocean 7s swims and with five remaining who knows what the next one will be. To take on event like this and to devote so much time and effort to training couldn’t have happened without the support of all their families and they are so grateful for this support and encouragement.

The Ocean 7s is the swimming equivalent of the world's seven highest mountains. The seven swims are The English Channel, The North Channel, Catalina Channel (USA), Moloki Channel (Hawaii) , Cook Strait (New Zealand) , Tsugaru Strait (Japan), Strait of Gibraltar so who knows where the Channel Chancers will appear next.