Hey! My name’s Bryony, and I’m currently training to take on the epic challenge of a solo English Channel swim this summer. On a good day, that’s around 12 hours and 35km — but on a bad day (thanks to weather and currents), it can stretch to 16 hours or 55km. Simply put, you’re completely in the hands of the weather gods, and the swim has just a 60% success rate.

Dramatics aside, I’ve been lucky enough to secure what might be the coolest swim slot ever. My swim date coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the first woman to ever swim the English Channel — Gertrude Ederle, on 6th August 1926.

When I was offered this slot, it truly felt like the stars aligned. I spend much of my spare time campaigning for greater access and support for women — and those who identify as women — in endurance sports. I’m also on the organising committee for an incredible charity called Athlete Interactions, which focuses on supporting athlete mental health through peer mentoring and accessible resources. It felt only right to use this monumental swim to raise much-needed funds for a cause so close to my heart.

The path to a solo Channel swim is neither easy nor short. It’s been a four-year journey, starting with a 10km swim in 2022, then 15km in 2023, 20km in 2024, and two English Channel relays (England–France). Although I come from a competitive pool and sea swimming background, I didn’t get back into the pool after the age of 16 until I was 25, when I signed up for a super-sprint triathlon. A few years later, I entered my first 10km swim on a whim — and despite not being able to lift my arms above my head the next day, it planted a simple question in my mind: how far could I take this?

Four years on, I could never have imagined the impact this journey would have on my life — or that it would lead me to a truly history-marking swim.

Preparation for the Channel is intense. My weeks include 5–6 pool sessions, 3–4 gym sessions, and pretty much everything else in life orbiting around the swim: fuelling, recovery, planning, and logistics.

Alongside fundraising for Athlete Interactions, I’m also aiming to offset some of the significant costs of taking on the Channel — which total around £9,000. It’s an absolute honour to be given the opportunity to swim on this centenary anniversary, and I want to do it the justice it deserves… unfortunately, that doesn’t come cheap. I’ve included some example costs below.

My goal is to cover half of my swim costs and to raise £4,000 for charity. Any surplus will go directly to Athlete Interactions.

Thank you so much for supporting my journey — and for helping honour both an incredible sporting legacy and an incredible charity.

You can follow my swim journey more closely on Instagram: @bryony.eve.swims

Real costs:

Boat to accompany my swim: £3,800

Coaching: £1,400

Medical: £150

Channel swimming association membership: £25

10-hour training swim (Double Ullswater): £850

Dover accommodation: £2,231

Crew travel costs: £120

Nutrition… don’t even get me started