English Channel Solo Swim

23 - 28th August 2023

Mermaid Laura is going to take on the 21 miles between England and France by herself - the busiest shipping lane in the world, with supertankers, with bow waves the size of buildings, and jellyfish.  Using the same pilot, Eddy Spelling as the mermaids used for their EC relay in 2020.  

Laura will have to complete a 6-hour qualification swim in water under 16 degrees, she plans to do this in Cape Town in March, where the water is the right temperature.

The actual attempt will take place somewhere between 23 - 28th August, and could begin at any time of the day or night, Laura may take somewhere between 17 - 20 hours to complete the difficult swim.  Only in a swimming costume, googles & hat, Laura will be fed mainly liquid feeds from a fishing line.  She will not be able to stop, touch the boat, or get out.  She will be supported on the boat by Mermaid Joan, Lee Sudan (who swam the channel in 2022) and Derrick Frazer of Big Bay Events.  It is important to have a good support crew.  The crew will feed her, relaying, via a white board - messages from supporters, assess her speed, and Lee might even jump in and swim with her for a little bit.

Laura began her training in October, and distance will gradually build so that she is ready for the challenge.  She is being trained by Sophie Whitworth, where she religiously follows a regimented training plan.

She is doing this in order to help raise £1,000,000 for the Henley Community Hub which she founded.  HCH will be a community hub for use by the whole community, and a permanent base for Henley Music School, a local charity Laura also founded.