Laura Kent
Osteopath
Channel Champions - August 2026
Six women. One Channel. A century of courage.
Follow the all-women SwimTayka relay team as they cross from Dover to France, marking 100 years since Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel.
21 milesAcross the English Channel
6 swimmersTaking one-hour turns
6-10 AugustWeather-dependent swim window
100 yearsSince Ederle's historic crossing
Honouring Gertrude Ederle
Gertrude Ederle inspired generations of women to believe that anything is possible. Her courage opened the way.
A century on, the Channel Champions carry that spirit forward - together.
Read Trudy’s Story
Teamwork in every tideTraining together for a challenge none of them will face alone.
A crossing with history behind it
Honouring the woman who changed Channel swimming
On 6 August 1926, American swimmer Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle entered the water in France shortly after 7am. She reached England at 9.39pm, becoming the first woman to swim the Channel and beating the existing men's record by nearly two hours.
A century later, the Channel Champions will make the journey in the opposite direction. Starting in Dover, they will swim towards France in a relay, each woman taking the water for an hour at a time before the rotation begins again.
Their aim is bigger than reaching the French coast. Every stroke raises awareness and funds for SwimTayka's free swimming lessons and water-safety education for children in the UK and around the world.
Discover SwimTayka's work →Meet the relay team
The Channel Champions
Six swimmers brought together by challenge, friendship and the belief that every child should be safe around water.
Rachel Porter
Taking on the challenge in her 50th year
Heidi Martin-Barshell
Beauty therapist
Teresa Oliver
Primary school teacher
Emily Yates
Clinical specialist in child bereavement
Sue Davis
Compliance manager
In their own words
Why they are swimming
“Swimming on the anniversary is a real privilege and a reminder of what determination and courage can achieve.”
“This journey has shown me that I can be more, I can be stronger and push myself - especially with a great team alongside me.”
“Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things with determination, support and teamwork.”
Every stroke has a purpose
Help more children become safe and confident in the water
SwimTayka works with local partners to deliver free swimming lessons, water-safety education and drowning-prevention programmes. The Channel Champions are giving their time, energy and courage to help that work reach more children.