"The North Channel association’s ratified swims are eligible to be counted for the Oceans Seven."
Steven Munatones
World Open Water Swimming Association
Daily News of Open Water Swimming
Openwaterpedia
Oceans Seven
Open Water Summit
Steven Munatones
World Open Water Swimming Association
Daily News of Open Water Swimming
Openwaterpedia
Oceans Seven
Open Water Summit
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Meet the Team:
Antonio ArguellesInaugural Honorary Chairperson, Oceans Seven 2017
Quinton NelsonBoat Captain, Skipper, North Channel Pilot, Boat Owner
www.nelsonsboats.co.uk |
Mark HamiltonNorth Channel Pilot, Leading Observer, Trainer
Maggie GibsonNorth Channel Swimmer, English Channel Swimmer,
Swimming Coach and Advisor. |
NCSA also provide Observers to:
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Brian Meharg |
Pádraig Mallon |
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Boat Captain, Skipper, North Channel Pilot, Boat Owner
www.bangorboat.com |
Any prospective swimmer should contact their chosen
Boat Captain / Pilot in the first instance.
Boat Captain / Pilot in the first instance.
You are in trusted and experienced hands...
The North Channel Swimming Association provides services from extremely qualified and experienced personnel. We are based in Donaghadee on the North County Down coast of Northern Ireland and are on these waters most days of the year, weather permitting. As a result, we have been involved in swimming in the North Channel for over 40 years and have a lifetime of experience in these waters.
In addition, the North Channel Swimming Association recognises skippers who own their own vessels. The pilots and vessels should be available for the competitors’ swims on the best day of their allocated tidal window, which can only be finally decided on the day of the swim. All the vessels have sheltered areas out of the wind and weather as well as heated cabins with private areas for swimmers to prepare, change, and recover.
The North Channel is recognised as one of the hardest swims in the Oceans Seven challenge. The task of completing this swim should never be taken lightly. The waters can be very unforgiving. Challenges range from water temperature (12-15 degrees centigrade during summer), numerous jelly fish, strong tides which vary with state of tide, rough rocky shorelines, quickly changing weather conditions, and a limited time frame to complete the swim. The tides in and around Portpatrick in Scotland can be strong and have a large swell, pushing the swimmer away from the shore.
Thus, at the North Channel Swimming Association we are ideally placed to help and advise swimmers prior to their swim, but also during the swim itself. All our personnel and affiliated members have years of experience and are capable of providing valued guidance to help the swimmer complete this momentous task.
In summary, we are in an excellent position to offer a complete service to the swimmer, from initial contact to successful completion. We advise that any swimmer contacts the Captain and/or Pilot in the first instance to ensure there is availability.
Please note that the NCSA has no financial interest with the Captains, vessels or with regard to the business operated by them, however as would be expected, the NCSA has a strong working relationship with the vessel owners, Captains and Pilots and will take guidance and leadership from them as required. We also have a strict set of guidelines which will be upheld at all times with regard to the actual swim and the vessels to which we supply observers. With this in mind we will have the capacity to carry out random checks on swims to ensure compliance.
The North Channel Swimming Association provides services from extremely qualified and experienced personnel. We are based in Donaghadee on the North County Down coast of Northern Ireland and are on these waters most days of the year, weather permitting. As a result, we have been involved in swimming in the North Channel for over 40 years and have a lifetime of experience in these waters.
In addition, the North Channel Swimming Association recognises skippers who own their own vessels. The pilots and vessels should be available for the competitors’ swims on the best day of their allocated tidal window, which can only be finally decided on the day of the swim. All the vessels have sheltered areas out of the wind and weather as well as heated cabins with private areas for swimmers to prepare, change, and recover.
The North Channel is recognised as one of the hardest swims in the Oceans Seven challenge. The task of completing this swim should never be taken lightly. The waters can be very unforgiving. Challenges range from water temperature (12-15 degrees centigrade during summer), numerous jelly fish, strong tides which vary with state of tide, rough rocky shorelines, quickly changing weather conditions, and a limited time frame to complete the swim. The tides in and around Portpatrick in Scotland can be strong and have a large swell, pushing the swimmer away from the shore.
Thus, at the North Channel Swimming Association we are ideally placed to help and advise swimmers prior to their swim, but also during the swim itself. All our personnel and affiliated members have years of experience and are capable of providing valued guidance to help the swimmer complete this momentous task.
In summary, we are in an excellent position to offer a complete service to the swimmer, from initial contact to successful completion. We advise that any swimmer contacts the Captain and/or Pilot in the first instance to ensure there is availability.
Please note that the NCSA has no financial interest with the Captains, vessels or with regard to the business operated by them, however as would be expected, the NCSA has a strong working relationship with the vessel owners, Captains and Pilots and will take guidance and leadership from them as required. We also have a strict set of guidelines which will be upheld at all times with regard to the actual swim and the vessels to which we supply observers. With this in mind we will have the capacity to carry out random checks on swims to ensure compliance.
North Channel Success (e & o.e.)
Listed below are the names of people who have completed the North Channel Swim.
We recognise all swimmers regardless of ratifying Association, Captain or Pilot.
We recognise all swimmers regardless of ratifying Association, Captain or Pilot.
Solo One Way:
Date: Name: Gender: Country: Direction: Time
28/07/1947 Tom Blower Male England Ireland to Scotland 15.26.00
11/09/1970 Kevin Murphy Male England Ireland to Scotland 11.21.00
29/08/1971 Kevin Murphy Male England Ireland to Scotland 14.27.00
11/08/1973 Ted Keenan Male Ireland Ireland to Scotland 18.27.00
22/08/1988 Alison Streeter Female England Ireland to Scotland 9.53.42
23/08/1988 Margaret Kidd Female Scotland Ireland to Scotland 15.26.03
25/08/1989 Alison Streeter Female England Scotland to Ireland 10.04.00
07/09/1989 Kevin Murphy Male England Scotland to Ireland 17.17.48
18/08/1997 Alison Streeter Female England Scotland to Ireland 10.02.12
27/07/1999 Paul Lewis Male England Scotland to Ireland 14.28.00
21/07/2000 Stephen Price Male England Scotland to Ireland 16.56.00
31/07/2004 Colm O’Neill Male Ireland Scotland to Ireland 11.25.05
12/09/2008 Colleen Blair Female Scotland Ireland to Scotland 15.23.59
31/08/2010 Stephen Redmond Male Ireland Scotland to Ireland 17.17.01
02/09/2010 Ann Marie Ward Female Ireland Ireland to Scotland 18.59.26
27/07/2011 Craig Lenning Male USA Ireland to Scotland 14.44.50
02/08/2011 Howard James Male England Ireland to Scotland 13.25.00
16/06/2013 Fergal Somerville Male Ireland Ireland to Scotland 12.21.00
08/07/2013 Anna Carin Nordin Female Sweden Scotland to Ireland 14.21.00
15/07/2013 Michelle Macy Female USA Ireland to Scotland 09.35.00
30/07/2013 Milko Van Gool Male Netherlands Ireland to Scotland 10.34.00
16/08/2013 Padraig Mallon Male Ireland Ireland to Scotland 12.49.00
29/08/2013 Darren Miller Male USA Ireland to Scotland 11.16.00
06/07/2014 Finbarr Hedderman Male Ireland Ireland to Scotland 12:24.00
07/07/2014 Sabrina Wiedmer Female Switzerland Ireland to Scotland 10:13.00
22/07/2014 Guy Moar Male Australia Ireland to Scotland 11:09.00
08/08/2014 Adam Walker Male England Ireland to Scotland 10:45.00
07/08/2014 Colleen Mallon Female Ireland Ireland to Scotland 09:56.00
02/09/2014 Kimberley Chambers Female New Zealand Ireland to Scotland 13:05.00
23/06/2015 Lucas Kowalczyk Male Poland Ireland to Scotland 11:49.00
22/07/2015 Graeme Lowe Male Jersey Ireland to Scotland 12:27.00
24/07/2015 Vicky Miller Female England Ireland to Scotland 12:06.00
07/08/2015 Adrian Sarchet Male Guernsey Ireland to Scotland 14:13.00
11/08/2015 Rohan More Male India Ireland to Scotland 12:46.00
11/08/2015 Ion Lazarenco Tiron Male Moldova Ireland to Scotland 16:23.40
09/09/2015 Thomas Pembroke Male Australia Ireland to Scotland 12:10.00
14/07/2016 Cameron Bellamy Male South Africa Ireland to Scotland 12:16.00
14/07/2016 Andrew McLaughlin Male USA Ireland to Scotland 14:20.00
31/07/2016 Rachel Ni Dubhghaill Female Ireland Ireland to Scotland 13:04.00
01/08/2016 Caroline Block Female USA Ireland to Scotland 14:31.50
14/08/2016 Keith Garry Male Ireland Ireland to Scotland 09:57.30
14/08/2016 Steve Walker Male USA Ireland to Scotland 11:19.00
14/08/2016 Phia Steyn Female South Africa Ireland to Scotland 13:40.00
28/08/2016 André Wiersig Male Germany Ireland to Scotland 12:17.00
24/08/2016 Pat Gallant-Charette Female USA Ireland to Scotland 14:23.00
25/08/2016 Ed Williams Male England Ireland to Scotland 10:58.00
05/07/2017 Simon Olliver Male New Zealand Ireland to Scotland 11:56.00
05/07/2017 Carmel Collins Female Ireland Ireland to Scotland 15.55.21
06/07/2017 Herman Van Der Westhuizen Male South Africa Ireland to Scotland 12.30.37
07/07/2017 Jonathan Ratcliffe Male England Ireland to Scotland 14.41.30
17/07/2017 Lynton Mortensen Male Australia Ireland to Scotland 13.49.17
03/08/2017 Antonio Argüelles Male México Ireland to Scotland 13.32.32
04/08/2017 Caroline Block Female USA Ireland to Scotland 15.32.25
15/08/2017 Abhejali Bernardová Female Czech Ireland to Scotland 10.23.38
30/08/2017 Dean Summers Male Australia Ireland to Scotland 13.07.35
30/08/2017 Matthias Kaßner Male Germany Ireland to Scotland 14.24.00
01/09/2017 Chris Judge Male Ireland Ireland to Scotland 13.32.39
25/06/2018 Nicholas Murch Male England Ireland to Scotland 11.48.57
06/07/2018 Caroline Block Female USA Ireland to Scotland 16.46.06
21/07/2018 Marcia Cleveland Female USA Ireland to Scotland 15.03.00
22/07/2018 Amy Gubser Female USA Ireland to Scotland 14.10.00
04/08/2018 Prabhat Koli Male India Ireland to Scotland 10.41.00
04/08/2018 Kieron Palframan Male South Africa Ireland to Scotland 11.18.00
05/08/2018 Jaroslav Chytil Male Czech Ireland to Scotland 16.04.00
20/08/2018 Jenny Smith Female USA Ireland to Scotland 13.06.00
20/08/2018 Marial Hawley Davilia Female Mexico Ireland to Scotland 13.15.00
04/09/2018 Ryan Utsumi Male USA Ireland to Scotland 10.34.15
05/09/2018 Rachael Hanisch Female Australia Ireland to Scotland 10.32.00
05/09/2018 Martin Fillipowski Male Australia Ireland to Scotland 12.26.00
05/09/2018 Nora Toledano Female Mexico Ireland to Scotland 10.26.00
25/06/2019 Catherine Breed Female USA Ireland to Scotland 11.06.40
11/07/2019 Susan Knight Female USA Ireland to Scotland 11.42.10
29/07/2019 Kamal Resa Alsaran Male Turkey Ireland to Scotland 13.55.37
08/08/2019 Joseph Zemaitis Male USA Ireland to Scotland 10.48.38
08/08/2019 Samantha Poulsen Female Australia Ireland to Scotland 11.12.18
08/08/2019 Arleen Gonzales Female Mexico Ireland to Scotland 12.53.59
13/08/2019 Martyn Webster Male England Ireland to Scotland 11.12.30
13/08/2019 John Zemaitis Male USA Ireland to Scotland 11.03.19
13/08/2019 Julieanne Goode Female Australia Ireland to Scotland 13.26.08
13/08/2019 David Conradie Male Ireland Ireland to Scotland 13.12.03
13/08/2019 Caroline Block Female USA Ireland to Scotland 14.39.11
25/08/2019 Elizabeth Fry Female USA Ireland to Scotland 11.13.11
25/08/2019 Anna Strachan Female Australia Ireland to Scotland 11.14.42
25/08/2019 John Haughton Male Australia Ireland to Scotland 13.12.29
26/08/2019 Jorge Crivilles Villanueva Male Spain Ireland to Scotland 12.54.57
26/08/2019 Atilla Manyoki Male Hungary Ireland to Scotland 12.11.20
26/02/2019 Pierre Lord Male France Ireland to Scotland 12.41.18
08/09/2019 Zach Margolis Male USA Ireland to Scotland 14.24.32
01/07/2021 Lauren Lesyna Female Ireland to Scotland 16.14.37
21/07/2021 Elaine Burrows Dillane Female Scotland to Ireland 14.54.30
02.08.2021 Jordan Leckey Male Ireland to Scotland 09.09.30
02.08.2021 Lucy Ashdown Parkes Female Ireland to Scotland 15.39.10
02.08.2021 Sarah Poll Female Ireland to Scotland 14:42:42
03.08.2021 Steven Proud Male Ireland to Scotland 09:39:28
03.08.2021 Mark Brown Male Ireland to Scotland 09:31:35
19.08.2021 Matt Murphy Male Ireland to Scotland 12:35:02
19.08.2021 Katherine Chapman Female Ireland to Scotland 10:59:02
29.08.2021 Luca Pozzi Male Ireland to Scotland 13:37:21
15.09.2021 Steven Sievenart Male Ireland to Scotland 14:44:03
10.07.2022 Andrew Keay Male Ireland to Scotland 14:30:12
10.07.2022 Barry Murphy Male Ireland to Scotland 13:53:34
10.07.2022 Sian Clement Female Ireland to Scotland 12:45:32
22.07.2022 Grainne Moss (nee Gunn) Female Ireland to Scotland 13:33:36
22.07.2022 Barbara Hernandez Female Ireland to Scotland 12:19:36
2022.08.08 Callum Eade Male Ireland to Scotland 11:40:10
08.08.2022 Sarah Liles Female Ireland to Scotland 12:54:31
08.08.2022 Alessandra Cima Female Ireland to Scotland 12:21:00
09.08.2022 Jessi Lidstone Harewicz Female Ireland to Scotland 18:15:04
09.08.2022 Sarah Philpott Female Ireland to Scotland 16:21:54
19.08.2022 Fiona Cullinane Female Ireland to Scotland 10:04:21
21.08.2022 Dina Levacic Female Ireland to Scotland 10:26:58
23.08.2022 Samuel Abeshouse Male Ireland to Scotland 11:16:28
23.08.2022 Eduardo Collazos Male Ireland to Scotland 12:29:30
25.08.2022 Graham Lock Female Ireland to Scotland 14:16:00
25.08.2022 Paul Georgescu Male Ireland to Scotland 11:07:03
08.09.2022 Vitaliy Stupak Male Scotland to Ireland 13:53:29
19.09.2022 Victor Pineiro Male Ireland to Scotland 13:29:36
19.09.2022 Andrew Donaldson Male Ireland to Scotland 09:13:57
Solo Two Way
09.07.2022 Sarah Thomas Female Scotland to Ireland 21:46:38
Relay One Way
Date: Name: No. of Swimmers Country: Start Country: Time:
27/08/1990 Ireland One (ILDSA) 6 Ireland N. Ireland 12 Hrs 03 Mins 01 Secs
14/08/1993 City of Liverpool 6 England N. Ireland 10 Hrs 39 Mins 42 Secs
23/06/1996 City of Dublin 6 Ireland N. Ireland 12 Hrs 44 Mins 56 Secs
20/08/1999 The All American 6 USA Scotland 13 Hrs 11 Mins 39 Secs
26/08/2002 City of Liverpool 6 England Scotland 12 Hrs 47 Mins 41 Secs
22/08/2011 Team Camlough Lake 6 Ireland N. Ireland 12 Hrs 21 Mins 12 Secs
05/07/2014 11 Feet Camlough Lake 6 Ireland N. Ireland 12 Hrs 52 Mins
24/06/2015 Wexford Masters 6 Ireland N. Ireland 13 Hrs 09 Mins
30/06/2016 The Celtic Kippers 6 Ireland N. Ireland 13 Hrs 46 Mins
05/07/2017 Peninsula Paddlers 6 Ireland N. Ireland 12 Hrs 33 Mins
22/07/2018 Suili 6 N. Ireland N. Ireland 12 Hrs 39 Mins 18 Secs
27/07/2019 Global Tridents 6 N. Ireland N. Ireland 11 Hrs 54 Mins 17 Secs
12/08/2019 Economy Class to Scotland 6 England N. Ireland 11 Hrs 55 Mins 37 Secs
02/08/2020 OA Giants 6 N. Ireland 12 Hrs 08 Mins 13 Secs
17/06/2021 Lough Neagh Monsters 6 N. Ireland 14 Hrs 57 Mins 53 Secs
14/01/2022 Team Walrus 6 N. Ireland 12 Hrs 51 Mins 35 Secs
22/07/2022 Mental Mermaids 6 N. Ireland 14 Hrs 26 Mins 16 Secs
20/08/2022 Team Northern Exposure 6 N. Ireland 13 Hrs 47 Mins 43 Secs
20/09/2022 Independant Marathon
Swimmers relay Team 6 N. Ireland 14 Hrs 39 Mins 41 Secs
07/08/2015 Infinity V 5 Ireland N. Ireland 13 Hrs 15 Mins
25/05/2016 Deadly Diamonds 5 N. Ireland N. Ireland 10 Hrs 20 Mins
04/08/2018 Coco Channel 5 Ireland N. Ireland 10 Hrs 41mins
08/09/2019 ABC 5 Ireland N. Ireland 12 Hrs 08 Mins 13 Secs
14/09/2021 Wild Atlantic Warriors 5 N. Ireland 14 Hrs 49 Mins 19 Secs
15/09/2021 Muintir na Mara 5 N. Ireland 10 Hrs 51 Mins 48 Secs
25/08/2016 Channel Swimming Crazies 4 N. Ireland N. Ireland 9 Hrs 55 Mins 4 Secs
21/08/2018 Imposible Nada 4 Spain N. Ireland 12 Hrs 10 Mins 0 Secs
26/06/2019 Jumbo Jets 4 USA N. Ireland 11 Hrs 11 Mins 36 Secs
27/07/2019 Mad Turks 4 Turkey N. Ireland 12 Hrs 14 mins 11 secs
02/07/2021 Myrtleville Minkies 4 N. Ireland 19 Hrs 29 Mins 36 Secs
20/07/2021 Lion Tamers 4 N. Ireland 12 Hrs 53 Mins 31 Secs
21/06/2022 Feck the Ferry 4 N. Ireland 12 Hrs 59 Mins 10 Secs
21/06/2022 Myrtleville Vikings 4 N. Ireland 12 Hours 37 Mins 05 Secs
22/06/2022 Henley Mermaids 4 N. Ireland 14 Hours 49 mins 06 Secs
22/06/2022 Team Bits Missing 4 N. Ireland 15 hours 08 Mis 35 Secs
06/07/2004 The Swilly Trio 3 Ireland Scotland 14 Hrs 41 Mins 14 Secs
07/08/2012 The Machine Men 3 USA N. Ireland 10 Hrs 18 Mins
27/07/2019 Ocean Breakers 3 Ireland N. Ireland 9 Hrs 20 Mins 40 Secs
14/09/2021 Couch to Channel 3 N. Ireland 13 Hrs 42 Mins 40 Secs
21/06/2022 Invictus Ladies 3 N. Ireland 14 Hrs 23 mins 03 Secs
10/07/2022 Norfolk Crawlers 3 N. Ireland 14 Hrs 22 Mins 57 Secs
04/07/2017 MAD 2 England N. Ireland 16 Hrs 0 min 37 Secs
Relay Two Way
Date: Name: No. of Swimmers Country: Start Country: Time:
28/07/2015 Fast and Frozen 6 International N. Ireland 29 Hrs 57 Mins
12/06/2016 O W Ladies 5 England N. Ireland 28 Hrs 25 Mins
24/06/2018 CZECH IT 6 Czech Republic N. Ireland 22 Hrs 59 Mins 15 Secs
16/07/2021 Sportfanatic 4 Scotland 24 Hrs 55Mins 40 Secs
Quotations from previous Swimmers and adjudicators:
I am honoured to be associated with the North Channel Swimming Association and to be asked to be the Inaugural Chairperson. I look forward to working with Quinton Mark and Maggie in helping swimmers achieve their goals. Antonio Argüelles , Mexico. Ocean's Seven 2017
I once rowed a rowing boat from Australia to Africa, rowing 12 hours a day for 57 days, day and night. I tell people to this day that swimming the North Channel was much harder than this, it remains the most challenging thing I've ever done. I feel honoured to be a part of the North Channel Swimming Association as a swim adjudicator and look forward to giving back to one of the hardest challenges on the planet. Cameron Bellamy, South Africa. North Channel 2016
I am very happy to act as an adjudicator and feel very honoured to be asked. Just keep swimming! Sal Minty-Gravett MBE, Jersey.
www.swimwithsal.com
My North Channel swim was one of the most challenging swims of my marathon swim career. I owe my success to my boat pilot Quinton Nelson and his
team. His vast experience and knowledge of this unforgiving channel is extraordinary.
Pat Gallant-Charette, USA. North Channel Record for Oldest Woman at the age 65 years and 204 days
I wholeheartedly support this development and have no doubt that it will benefit all concerned in this wonderful sport of ours.
Adrian Sarchet, Guernsey. North Channel 2015
I know how much you care about the swimmer and how much care you put into every swim.
Graeme Lowe, Jersey. North Channel 2015
The North Channel is one of the hardest things that you can do on this planet. You hope for wind under 15 knots, a current that isn't too strong, and water that is 54F (12C). You don't always get it that good, and did I mention jellies tentacles that are 3-4m long? If you want a challenge, this is it.
Steve Walker, USA. North Channel 2016
Quinton did an excellent job guiding me from Ireland to Scotland. He was there for all my questions during my training and before the actual swim. He has tons of experiences and made sure people knew what they were signing up for. Before my swim I was encouraged to get in touch with previous successful swimmers to get as much information as possible, and now I am very happy to share my experiences. This is definitely one of the hardest swims and you want to be in good hands and prepare the best you can.
Abhejali Bernardová, Czech Republic. North Channel 2017, Oceans Seven
Common Q & A
Ques: What is the average time to complete the North Channel Swim?
Ans: There is no average time. From completed swims, the time ranges from 9.35 to over 18 hours.
Ques: What is the average water Temperature?
Ans: The average temperature ranges between 12* C and just over 15* C and can vary across the swim.
Ques: What do I do if I get stung?
Ans: Unfortunately jelly fish are common in the North Channel. Stings do happen on a regular basis.
Ques: Can I take pain relief?
Ans: Yes. Any medication, prescribed or not, must to be recorded by your observer.
Ques: What if I have to cancel my swim?
Ans: This will be an arrangement between the swimmer and the Captain / Pilot. An observer would not normally be arranged in advance.
Ques: Do I have to have swam the English Channel to apply?
Ans: No. There is a minimum requirement of a 6 hour swim in water temps between 12 and 15 degrees Centigrade which should be signed and witnessed.
Ques: How far in advance do I need to book a swim slot?
Ans: The NCSA isn't involved in booking Captains or Pilots. You should agree dates with your chosen Pilot.
Ques: Is there a minimum age to make an attempt?
Ans: Yes. The minimum age for a relay attempt is 16 and 18 for a solo attempt.
Useful Links:
WOWSA: www.worldopenwaterswimmingassociation.com
Oceans Seven info: db.marathonswimmers.org/oceans-seven/
Lone Swimmer : loneswimmer.com
Nelsons Boats: www.nelsonsboats.co.uk
Bangor Boat: bangorboat.com
Swim with Sal: swimwithsal.com
Infinity Channel Swimming: www.infinitychannelswimming.com
E.&O.E.