When All Eyes Look North
Courtesy of Irish Long Distance Swimming Association and Swim Ireland.
For generations, the most difficult, challenging and cruelest channel crossing in the world has generally been considered to be the North Channel, 21 miles between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The North Channel is very cold for even the most hardened swimmers. It is painful due to its jellyfish soup for even the most pain-tolerant athletes. It is rough and turbulent for even the most experienced ocean veterans.
The Irish Long Distance Swimming Association and Swim Ireland will honor the successful solo swimmers of the North Channel during the 2016 season at its annual awards 2017 ceremony at Belfast Castle in conjunction with Belfast City Council on February 11th:
* Andrew McLaughlin (USA) 14 hours 21 minutes
* Cameron Bellamy (South Africa) 12 hours 22 minutes 3 seconds
* Edward Williams (England) 10 hours 58 minutes 4 seconds
* Andre Wiersig (Germany) 12 hours 17 minutes 2 seconds
* Rachel Doyle (Ireland) 13 hours 14 minutes 3 seconds
* Caroline Block (USA) 14 hours 31 minutes 53 seconds
* Keith Garry (Ireland) 9 hours 57 minutes 28 seconds
* Phia Steyn (South Africa) 13 hours 36 minutes 3 seconds
* Pat Gallant-Charette (USA) 14 hours 22 minutes [shown above]
* Steve Walker (USA) 11 hours 19 minutes
Copyright © 2016 by World Open Water Swimming Association 
For generations, the most difficult, challenging and cruelest channel crossing in the world has generally been considered to be the North Channel, 21 miles between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The North Channel is very cold for even the most hardened swimmers. It is painful due to its jellyfish soup for even the most pain-tolerant athletes. It is rough and turbulent for even the most experienced ocean veterans.
The Irish Long Distance Swimming Association and Swim Ireland will honor the successful solo swimmers of the North Channel during the 2016 season at its annual awards 2017 ceremony at Belfast Castle in conjunction with Belfast City Council on February 11th:
* Andrew McLaughlin (USA) 14 hours 21 minutes
* Cameron Bellamy (South Africa) 12 hours 22 minutes 3 seconds
* Edward Williams (England) 10 hours 58 minutes 4 seconds
* Andre Wiersig (Germany) 12 hours 17 minutes 2 seconds
* Rachel Doyle (Ireland) 13 hours 14 minutes 3 seconds
* Caroline Block (USA) 14 hours 31 minutes 53 seconds
* Keith Garry (Ireland) 9 hours 57 minutes 28 seconds
* Phia Steyn (South Africa) 13 hours 36 minutes 3 seconds
* Pat Gallant-Charette (USA) 14 hours 22 minutes [shown above]
* Steve Walker (USA) 11 hours 19 minutes
Copyright © 2016 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)
