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SUPPORTED BY:
THE POSITIVE TEACHER COMPANY
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Jemmas Record Breaking Swim Attempt To The Isle Of Man!
This swim has never been swum continually by one person. Its has been done by a relay and in stages: see below.
In 2011 a 9 person, wetsuited relay swam the stretch in 31 hours. There is no ratification for the swim but I am led to believe it was continuous and unassisted. I have not been able to find a track or a record etc. But it means there should be a route between our islands... and not as previously thought: tidally impossible.
In 2023 Adam Diver swam the stretch during a staged swim - he was assisted by a wetsuit and other items of neoprene, and rested on the boat between tides. A great swim for a great cause but not an unassisted, continuous marathon swim. I will not be assisted by either of those things. Adam Diver sparked my interest in this swim before I had even crossed the English Channel, so when I was successful I looked into it, initially disappointed that the swim was done in stages. BUT it was too late - I'd already planted that seed.
The record for an unassisted, solo swim is still there for the taking!
My attempt will be:
* ratified by the marathon swim federation
* without a wetsuit or any other neoprene
* continuous and unassisted (no rest, just treading to eat!)
I'll be in a swimsuit, cap and goggles. I'll be fed carbohydrate drinks, small bits of sandwich, noodles, soup and cakes which are thrown from the support boat in tupaware on a string.
The direction of the swim, start point, the date and the start time will be decided by the boat pilot at the last minute depending on sea conditions, wind and the tide etc. The boat is arranged with Infinity Channel Swimming.
The biggest obstacles are the Lions Mane jellyfish fish plus the cold, dark and time in the water. Lion's mane jellies routinely hospitalise swimmers attempting the North Channel so they're quite a leap from being stung by the compass jellies in the English Channel. One of those swimmers is the famous King of the Channel who told me he swam the north channel 3 times, the third time waking up in hospital. I need luck on my side for minimal contact, because antihistamines can only do so much.
In 2023 I swam the English Channel in 14 hours and 53 minutes. I gradually built up from my crippling fear of open water in lock down to swimming with a wetsuit and then swimming without. Watch here!
** WHERE YOUR DONATIONS GO **
My initial target was £4100 which is the cost of the escourt boat.
I was hoping somebody like steam packet would sponsor the swim which Is why I set up the page, looking for actual sponsorship as an athlete. But it seems large companies are uninterested in amateur mums ;-)
However!
I have been lucky enough to receive £1000 athlete funding from the positive teacher company.
The £1000 deposit was paid myself almost 2 years ago when I signed up for the swim.
I have had stalls at GirlGuidingUk events where I have been volunteering all my adult life. We also held a fundraiser in Preston on 3rd October 2025 where we fundraiser with games and stalls.
My cousin Stewart works for Formula One and donated some really cool signed memorabilia.
All of the £4100 for the boat has been fundraised or paid now, by myself and family. Some family and friends have sent donations too which is appreciated but not expected. Thank you.
Any further donation after the £4100 goes directly to charity - Children With Cancer. So if you choose to donate your donation goes directly to Children With Cancer when this go fund me closes after the swim.
All donations from a sweet shop in Blackpool go directly to children with Cancer and not to the boat fund.
I've had other help:
My husbands employer were kind enough to rent us a car for 24 hours in Ireland when I went there to do my qualification swim with Infinity this year.
My mum Sharon and my sister Laura have been my key childcare providers ro enable the training to happen (my kids are home educated now so training time is slim!) Good family for help with the kids is priceless. Thank you.
My husband Taz will be on the boat on the day and I'm sure he'll keep you updated here:
The swim can be tracked here:
Thank you to everyone that has helped and believes in me!
Wish me luck!
I'm hoping for an opportunity between 6-20th July.
Organizer
