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The Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club is celebrating its 50th birthday this year, as it continues to assist daring swimmers in challenges like the Jersey to France swim.
This summer has been no different, with multiple displays of endurance and spirit shown in numerous attempts to reach the French coast.
One of those swimmers is Jersey Long Distance Swimming Club member Karen Le Cornu, who attempted the swim challenge solo on 1 August.
After 10 years as a club member, she was encouraged by fellow swimmers and endured a winter of training, juggling her family life as well as her role as a Jurat.
Supported by a crew of Ali Wood, Karen Roworth and observer Sam Pipon, she landed on the French coast completing her swim in an impressive 8 hours and 54 minutes.
Pictured: Karen was supported by the JLDSC the whole way to France.
“I had done several relays around Jersey and from Jersey to France and had been contemplating a solo swim for a few years,” she said.
“Sitting on a beach last October, I was encouraged to ‘go for it’ by a couple of swimming friends and a casual conversation resulted in serious training from January to July, assisted by Ali Wood – little did she know what she’d let herself in for.
“My swim had a perfect start time and beautiful conditions and I wasn’t coming home until I’d hit France. I had an amazing crew feeding me every hour and checking I was all right."
“Ali swam with me between hours five and six and then Ali and Karen swam into the beach with me at the end," she continued.
Pictured: Karen and her crew celebrate after the successful swim.
"I was so focused on the ‘Just keep swimming’ advice that they had to yell at me to stand up when we hit the beach."
Such swims not only attract the interest of locals, but also sea swimmers from the UK and beyond because of Jersey's notorious waters.
One of those teams was the MAD Channel Swimmers, who travelled over from the mainland to attempt a Jersey to France relay on 31 July, again supported by the JLDSC.
The team set off in their boat 'Sea Swimmer' from La Coupe in idyllic conditions and completed their attempt in 7 hours and 36 minutes.
Reflecting on these challenges, the JLDSC said they were “delighted” to have been able to support so many, each with their own unique story and motivation driving them.
The club promises a warm welcome to any swimmer interested in the Jersey to France swim, and opportunities to swim with club members are provided weekly to give swimmers the opportunity to train, acclimatise and familiarise themselves with the local waters before embarking on their own sea swimming challenge.
If anyone is interested in following these incredible swim attempts, they can join the JLDSC’s Facebook page, where regular details are posted when swimmers take to the water and tracker details are provided for their support boat.
The club is also hosting a barbecue on Sunday 11 August where members are set to gather to celebrate the 50th birthday of the JLDSC.
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