‘Memorable celebration’ held to mark 150 years since first English Channel swim

A vibrant celebration recently took place in Dover to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Captain Matthew Webb’s historic swim across the English Channel.

Webb became the first person to successfully swim the Channel in 1875 – a feat that marked the beginning of one of the most revered challenges in endurance sport.

He has since been honoured as a member of Swim England’s Hall of Fame and on Monday 25 August, his legacy was celebrated with a day of joy and excitement.

The day included open water races in Dover Harbour, a seafront procession featuring large-scale models of Webb and Gertrude Ederle (the first woman to complete the swim) as well as speeches from local dignitaries.

Around 150 swimmers ranging from ages 11 to 88 took part, with many others gathering to join the celebrations.

Andy Carson, Chairperson of Dover Life Guard Club, said: “It was such a fabulous day and an incredible opportunity to meet so many visiting Channel swimmers, including those who have crossed multiple times in solo and relay swims.

“Working with the Port of Dover and the swimming associations to create a celebration of the Channel swimming community and its achievements was a real honour and we were especially proud to bring the processional elements to life, including the giant 6.5-metre-long Captain Matthew Webb, which was created by Future Foundry artists James Frost and Amelia Johnson.”

Among those attending was veteran sports journalist and Channel swimmer John Goodbody, who proposed the idea for the celebration.

Goodbody swam the Channel himself in 1991, completing the crossing in 15 hours and 40 minutes.

Reflecting on the event, Goodbody described it as “a memorable celebration of one of the most extraordinary feats in the history of British sport.”

He added: “When Webb swam the Channel, the reception he received in this country can only be matched by the likes of the 1966 World Cup win. The interest was absolutely enormous.

“So, it was lovely to see so many people who had themselves completed the Channel swim and the enthusiasm from young swimmers was especially heartening.

“They also made models of Captain Matthew Webb and Gertrude which needed about six or eight people to carry each one – it was marvellous.”

Goodbody’s passion for the sport has culminated in his newly published book, ‘150 Years of Channel Swimming’, which chronicles the stories of those who have taken on the challenge – from Olympians to para-athletes and record-holders to everyday adventurers.

The book also highlights the growing popularity of open water swimming and the evolution of piloting techniques that have made the crossing more accessible.

Since Webb’s pioneering swim, more than 2,700 people have successfully crossed the Channel. The fastest recorded time stands at six hours and 45 minutes – and the only person to swim the Channel four times consecutively is American swimmer, Sarah Thomas.

Goodbody continues to swim regularly, clocking up 12,000 metres a week, and remains a passionate advocate for the sport.

He hopes next year will bring another celebration – this time marking the centenary of Ederle’s groundbreaking swim in 1926.

As the waves of Dover continue to welcome new challengers, the legacy of Captain Webb lives on – not just in the record books, but in the hearts of those inspired to follow in his wake.

Image credits: Future Foundry and Dover Life Guard Club