Nothing Can Compare In The Bold Step Forward
American marathon swimmer Darren Miller, tied for fourth on the global Oceans Seven list, calculated the average crossing of the 21-mile North Channel between Scotland and Ireland as part of his research.He found the average time to be 13 hours 56 minutes based on 17 different successful crossings between 1947 and 2011. This historical average North Channel time is faster than the average time of the English Channel male swimmer, but slower than the average time of the successful English Channel female swimmer.
But as Brian Meharg reminds all who attempt the jellyfish-strewn waterway, “Please do not compare the Irish Channel to the English Channel; potential swimmers should look at this crossing as a very bold step forward. Most swimmers should avoid this crossing; it is not for the many.”
Photos shows Howard Keech with Brian Meharg and Colleen Blair.
Copyright © 2012 by World Open Water Swimming Association
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
Latest posts by Steven Munatones (see all)