At the age of 65, Dr. Roger Allsopp became the fourth oldest person to successfully swim across the English Channel in 2006.
But he did not rest on those laurels.
At the age of 70 in 2011, he became the oldest person to swim across the English Channel in a grueling 17 hour 51 minute effort. Dr. Allsopp, a retired surgeon from Guernsey, continues to inspire and educate many to lead more healthful lives with his age-defying marathon swim and his wisdom and medical knowledge and observation.
Although his oldest record has since been elapsed by both Dr. Otto Thaning at 73 years in 12 hours 52 minutes and Cyril Baldock at 70 years and 9 months in 12 hours 45 minutes, both achieved in 2014*, Dr. Allsopp has not stopped being active or inspirational.
He gave a fascinating lecture in November 2019 in Guernsey where he practices both medicine and swimming. He introduced the concept of renaissement, a portmanteau of the two words, renaissance and retirement, which seems entirely appropriate to the population of channel and marathon swimmers in contemporary times.
Oldest Individuals to Cross the English Channel
1. Dr. Otto Thaning (South Africa), 73 years in 12 hours 52 minutes (2014)
2. Cyril Baldock (Australia), 70 years 9 months in 12 hours 45 minutes (2014)
3. Dr. Roger Allsopp (England), 70 years 4 months in 16 hours 51 minutes (2011)
4. George Brunstad (USA), 70 years 4 days in 15 hours 59 minutes (2004)
5. Chris Shapland (Australia), 69 years in 16 hours 28 minutes (2016)
6. Donald Riddington (Australia), 68 in 19 hours 45 minutes (2014)
7. Clifford Batt (Australia), 66 in 18 hours 46 minutes (1986)
8. Pat Gallant-Charette (USA), 66 in 17 hours 55 minutes (2017)
9. Ashby Harper (USA), 65 in 14 hours 52 minutes (1982)
10. Joe Smith (England), 65 in 14 hours 9 minutes (1999)
11. Dr. Roger Allsopp (England), 65 in 15 hours 40 minutes (2006)
12. Sue Oldham (Australia), 65 in 16 hours 11 minutes (2010)
13. Sally Minty-Gravett, MBE (Great Britain), 65 in 15 hours 30 minutes (2022)
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