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