The Daily News Of Open Water Swimming

To educate, entertain, and enthuse those who venture beyond the shore

Newsletter

Random News

Oceans Seven Times Two

Stephen Redmond stepped up to the plate in Japan and achieved the Oceans Seven on his fourth attempt of the Tsugaru Channel.

Now history is ready to be repeated when Penny Palfrey steps up to the plate in the North Channel and attempts her final swim in the Oceans Seven.

One of the most popular open water swimmers in the world will soon set foot in Ireland and immerse herself in the rugged nature of sea swimming in Ireland.

While the logistics and planning of her Cuba swim were daunting, she will have plenty of assistance in Ireland in the hopes she joins the small and exclusive fraternity of the following conquerors of the North Channel:

Ireland to Scotland Successful Swimmers

1. Tom Blower, 28 July 1947, 15 hours 26 minutes
2. Kevin Murphy, 11 September 1970, 11 hours 21 minutes
3. Kevin Murphy, 29 August 1971, 14 hours 27 minutes
4. Ted Keenan, 11 August 1973, 18 hours 27 minutes
5. Alison Streeter, 22 August 1988, 9 hours 54 minutes
6. Margaret (Maggie) Kidd, 23 August 1988, 15 hours 26 minutes
7. Colleen Blair, 12 September 2008, 15 hours 23 minutes
8. Anne Marie Ward, 1-2 September 2010, 18 hours 59 minutes (water temperature 12-13.4°C)
9. Craig Lenning, 27 July 2011, 14 hours 44 minutes (water temperature 12-13°C)
10. Howard Keech, 2 August 2011, 14 hours 47 minutes (water temperature down to 10.5°C)

Scotland to Ireland Successful Swimmers

1. Alison Streeter, 25 August 1989, 10 hours 4 minutes
2. Alison Streeter, 18 August 1997, 10 hours 2 minutes
3. Kevin Murphy, 7 September 1989, 17 hours 17 minutes
4. Paul Lewis, 27 July 1999, 14 hours 28 minutes
5. Stephen Price, 21 July 2000, 16 hours 56 minutes
6. Colm O Neill, 31 July 2004, 11 hours 25 minutes
7. Stephen Redmond, 31 August 2010, 17 hours 17 minutes

While she will turn her attention to the notorious channel between Scotland and Ireland, she has plenty of experience in cold water – including a 10 hour 36 minute crossing in 13.5°C (56°F) water in the Catalina Channel – and with jellyfish, from Hawaii to Florida.

Even though Palfrey will be one of the oldest swimmers to attempt the channel (50 years old), she will also be one of the speediest and has an excellent shot at becoming the first women to complete the Oceans Seven.

Copyright © 2012 by World Open Water Swimming Association

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top