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Jacqueline McClelland Takes The Helm Across The North Channel

Pádraig Mallon announced the infinity Channel Swimming’s Jacqueline McClelland was presented with a ship’s wheel in celebration of her success as the first female escort pilot across the North Channel between Northern Ireland and Scotland.  He explains, “Ten years at sea with multiple adventures bring her to this juncture. Jacqueline is supported by her pilot colleagues Ian, Kieran, Jack, Bobby, Barry and Connla and many specialist crew members.”  

The ship’s wheel, photographed by Martin Strain, was created by Brian Muckian.

Ship’s wheel qualities include:

  • Direction
  • Navigation
  • Purpose
  • Discovery
  • Staying on course
  • Perseverance
  • Adventure

Steven Munatones points out, “There are so few female escort pilots in channel crossings and marathon swims around the world, relative to the thousands of male escort pilots, mariners, and navigators. Jacqueline joins the very few in this tight demographic of pilots that include Alison Streeter, Samantha Jones, Tanya Harding, and Marilyn Critchley in the English Channel, Belinda Stayton and Betty Billings in New York, Dawn Brooks in Santa Barbara, Dee Brady and Vanessa Linsley in Florida, Gail Steele, Jane Chop, Pam Ladds, Margaret Rivard, Teresa Gerade, and Geneve Channel in Lake Memphremagog, Gretchen Koffman and Nicole Yost in San Francisco, Gunthita Corda and Marie Claire in Switzerland, Nancy Monbouquette and Laurie Craigen in Massachusetts, Michelle Petring in South Africa, Marta Vigoroux in Easter Island, Krista Swedberg in Monterey Bay, Robin Abell in Idaho, Robyn Stewart in France, Shannon Davey in Santa Monica, Vanessa Eugene in Saint Lucia, Fiona Southwell in England, among others.”

Escort Pilots Around The World

To add escort pilots to this list (active, retired, or deceased), please email their names, primary bodies of water, and years of activity to headcoach@openwatersource.com

© 2024 Daily News of Open Water Swimming

to educate, enthuse, and entertain all those who venture beyond the shoreline

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