On 6 August 1926, Gertrude Ederle made history and became the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel, and in doing so she broke the overall speed record in a time of 14hrs 39minutes. Gertrude returned to America a national heroine, where a crowd of 2 million people attended one of the largest ticker-tape parades that New York City has ever seen.
Dover Life Guard Club and the Port of Dover are organising the Gertrude Ederle 100th Anniversary Swim on Bank Holiday Monday from 10am to 5pm in Dover Harbour.
There is a fee to take part in the swims - please see the booking link - but free to watch from the shore.
The swims
If you would like to take part, please book into the most appropriate swim (see below) and book ahead (see link). All swimmers will will receive a commemorative Gertrude Ederle Swim Hat, specially designed by Dave Chisholm.
Wave 1
- A novice 500-m swim (ages 11+)
- Ideal for beginner open water swimmers
- Registration: 10:30 am
- Swim start: 12:00 pm
- Cut-off time: 45 minutes
Wave 2
- A relaxed 2-km swim (ages 14+)
- For swimmers who typically swim 2 km/hr or a little longer
- Registration: 11:15 am
- Swim start: 12:45 pm
- Cut-off time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Wave 3
- A moderate 2-km swim (ages 14+)
- For swimmers who average around 2.5 km/hr
- Registration: 12:30 pm
- Swim start: 2:00 pm
- Cut-off time: 1hr
Wave 4
- A fast 2-km swim (ages 14+)
- For swimmers averaging 3 km/hr or faster who would like to race
- Registration: 1:30 pm
- Swim start: 3:00 pm
- Cut-off time: 45 minutes.
The procession
Following the swim, there will be a carnival procession hosted by Future Foundry beginning at 3.45pm at the Swimmer Statues (opposite the slipway), passing Dover Sea Sports Centre and finishing at Marina Curve for the prize presentation and live music. Captain Webb's giant puppet, which made its debut last year, will be joined by a brand-new giant puppet of Gertrude Ederle.