Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.

Three is most definitely a charm for Tony Bailey.

Not only did the British swimmer finally complete a swim across the English Channel after failed attempts in 2007 and 2012, but he also did the entire swim breaststroke and he joined the esteemed 24-hour Club in the process.

After two unsuccessful attempts across the English Channel, Bailey kept training to realize his dream. He completed his English Channel crossing on September 6th and 7th in a 25 hour 56 minute charity swim.

He raised money for the Royal National Lifeboat Association in his all-day and night crossing conducted under the auspices of the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation. His massive effort enabled him to join the illustrious group of historic swims in the global 24-hour Club (see #93 below). The swimmers below are listed by length of time in the water:

1. John Sigmund (USA) 292 miles (470 km) down the Mississippi River (Missouri, USA) in 1940 in 89 hours 46 minutes
2. Pedro A Candiotti (Argentina) 281 miles (452 km) downstream in River de la Plata (Argentina) in 1935 in 84 hours 0 minutes
3. Pedro A Candiotti (Argentina) 205 miles (330 km) downstream in River de la Plata (Argentina) in 1943 in 74 hours 30 minutes
4. Charles Zibelman (USA) 288 miles (463 km) downstream in the Hudson River (USA) in 1938 in 74 hours 0 minutes
5. Pedro A Candiotti (Argentina) 211 miles (339 km) downstream in River de la Plata (Argentina) in 1931 in 71 hours 55 minutes
6. Pedro A Candiotti (Argentina) 210 miles (337 km) downstream in River de la Plata (Argentina) in 1930 in 66 hours 15 minutes
7. Vicki Keith (Canada) 49.8 miles (80.2 km, all butterfly) crossing of Lake Ontario (Canada) in 2005 in 63 hours 40 minutes
8. Abdul Latif Abou Heif (Egypt) 285 miles (458 km) downstream in River de la Plata (Argentina) in 1970 in 60 hours 0 minutes
9. Vicki Keith (Canada) 64 miles (103 km) in a two-way crossing of Lake Ontario (Canada) in 1987 in 56 hours 10 minutes
10. Martin Strel (Slovenia) 100 miles (162 km) from Lignano to Ravenna (Italy) in 1994 in 55 hours 11 minutes
11. Vicki Keith (Canada) 45 miles (72 km) in Lake Michigan (Illinois, USA) in 1988 in 52 hours 45 minutes
12. Zhang Jian (China) 76.5 miles (123 km) in Bohai Bay (China) in 2000 in 50 hours 22 minutes
13. Veljko Rogošić (Croatia) 139.8 miles (225 km) across the Adriatic Sea in Italy in 2006 in 50 hours 10 minutes**
14. Vicki Keith (Canada) 48 miles (77 km) in Lake Huron (USA-to-Canada) in 1988 in 46 hours 55 minutes
15. Imre Szenasi (Hungary) 136 miles (219 km) in the River Tisza (Romania) in 1962 in 44 hours 50 minutes
16. Otto Kemmerich (Germany) 50 miles (81 km) across Danzig in East Prussia in 1928 in 43 hours 30 minutes
17. Sean O’Connell (Bermuda) 47 miles (75 km) around Bermuda in 1977 in 43 hours 27 minutes
18. Kevin Murphy (UK) 48 miles (77.2 km in Lake Balaton (Hungary) in 1973 in 43 hours 15 minutes

19. Antonio Abertondo (Argentina, photo above) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel in 1961 in 43 hours 10 minutes
20. Imre Szenasi (Hungary) 81 miles (130 km) in the River Tisza (Romania) in 1969 in 41 hours 40 minutes
21. Martin Strel (Slovenia) 62.5 miles (100.5 km) from Venice (Italy) to Portorose (Slovenia) in 1996 in 41 hours 11 minutes
22. Jay Serdula (Canada) 28 miles (45 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 2008 in 41 hours 1 minute
23. Penny Palfrey (Australia) 67.2 miles (100.5 km) from Little Cayman to Grand Cayman (Cayman Islands) in 2011 in 40 hours 41 minutes
24. Wendy Trehiou (Jersey) 42 miles (67.5 km) two-way crossing of the English Channel in 2013 in 39 hours 9 minutes
25. Susie Maroney (Australia) 58 miles (93 km) from Mexico to Cuba in 1998 in 38 hours 33 minutes
26. Jon Erikson (USA) 63 miles (101 km) in a three-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 1981 in 38 hours 27 minutes
27. Ted Erikson (USA) 60 miles (96.5 km) in a pro race in Lake Michigan (Illinois, USA) in 1963 in 37 hours 31 minutes
28. Miyuki Fujita (Japan) 36 mile (58 km) in a three-way crossing of the Tsugaru Channel (Japan) in 2006 in 37 hours 24 minutes
29. Ted Erikson (USA) 36.75 miles (59 km) in a pro race in Lake Michigan (Illinois, USA) in 1961 in 36 hours 37 minutes
30. Martin Strel (Slovenia) 62.5 miles (100.5 km) from Koper (Slovenia) to Venice (Italy) in 1999 in 36 hours 30 minutes
31. Zhang Jian (China) 42.8 miles (69 km) across Xingkai Lake in 2010 in 36 hours 30 minutes
32. Vojislav Mijić (Serbia) 86.3 miles (139 km) down the Sava River, Serbia in 1992 in 36 hours 30 minutes
33. Kevin Murphy (UK) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 1975 in 36 hours 3 minutes*
34. Dr. Harry Briggs (USA) 32 miles from Canada to Ohio across Lake Erie in 35 hours 55 minutes
35. Ted Erikson (USA) 50 miles (80.4 km) in a pro race in Lake Michigan (Illinois, USA) in 1962 in 35 hours 45 minutes
36. Lisa Cummins (Ireland) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 2009 in 35 hours 36 minutes
37. Mihir Sen (India) 51 miles (82 km) across the Panama Canal (Pacific-Atlantic Oceans) in 1966 in 35 hours 30 minutes
38. John Munro (Canada) 35 miles (56 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 2003 in 35 hours 15 minutes
39. Kevin Murphy (UK) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 1970 in 35 hours 10 minutes
40. Diane Struble (USA) 32 miles (51 km) in Lake George (New York, USA) in 1958 in 35 hours 0 minutes
41. Alison Streeter MBE (UK) 63 miles (101 km) in a three-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 1990 in 34 hours 40 minutes
42. Abdul Latif Abou Heif (Egypt) 60 miles (96.5 km) in Lake Michigan (Illinois, USA) in 1963 in 34 hours 38 minutes
43. Cindy Cleveland (USA) 48 miles (77 km) in a circumnavigation around Catalina Island (California, USA) in 1979 in 34 hours 24 minutes
44. Paul Chotteau (France) 20.2 miles (32.5 km) in a crossing of the Catalina Channel (California, USA) in 1936 in 33 hours 50 minutes
45. Stacy Chanin (USA) 60.9 miles (98 km) in a triple circumnavigation of Manhattan Island (New York, USA) in 1984 in 33 hours 39 minutes
46. Yuko Matsuzaki (Japan) 51.5 miles (83 km) in Lake Cane (Florida, USA) in 2008 in 33 hours 24 minutes
47. Skip Storch (USA) 85.5 miles (137 km) in a triple circumnavigation around Manhattan Island (New York, USA) in 2007 in 32 hours 52 minutes
48. Carlos Costa (Canada) 28 miles (45 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 1993 in 32 hours 43 minutes
49. Kevin Murphy (UK) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 1987 in 32 hours 42 minutes
50. Jenna Lambert (Canada) 20.7 miles (33 km) across the east end of Lake Ontario (Canada) in 2006 in 32 hours 18 minutes
51. Jose Cortinas (Cuba) 20.2 miles (32.5 km) in a crossing of the Catalina Channel (California, USA) in 1953 in 32 hours 10 minutes
52. Brenda Sherratt (UK) 22.5 miles (36.2 km) in a crossing of Loch Ness (Scotland) in 1966 in 31 hours 27 minutes
53. Myrtle Huddleston (USA) swam in Del Ray Beach, Florida (USA) in 1928 for 31 hours 18 minutes
54. Chris Stockdale, MBE (England) swam across Lake Garda (Italy) in 1989 in 31 hours 10 minutes
55. Ray Gandy (USA) 46 miles (74 km) in a two-way crossing of Lake Memphremagog (Vermont, USA to Quebec, Canada) in 2012 in 31 hours 5 minutes
56. Vicki Keith (Canada) 32 miles (51 km all butterfly) in a crossing of Lake Ontario (Canada) in 1989 in 31 hours
57. Greta Andersen (USA) 50 miles (80.5 km) in a pro race in Lake Michigan (Illinois, USA) in 1962 in 31 hours
58. Ted Erikson (USA) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 1965 in 30 hours 3 minutes
59. Sarah Thomas (USA) 50 miles (80.4 km) in a two-way crossing of Lake Memphremagog (Canada-USA) in 2013 in 30 hours 1 minute
60. Antonio Abertondo (Argentina) 50 miles (80.5 km) across the River de la Plata (Uruguay-Argentina) in 1950 in 30 hours
61. Yuko Matsuzaki (Japan) 51.5 miles (83 km) in Lake Cane (Florida, USA) in 2007 in 29 hours 55 minutes
62. Jon Erikson (USA) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 1975 in 29 hours 50 minutes
63. Martin Strel (Slovenia) 48 miles (78 km) from Africa to Europe in 1997 in 29 hours 36 minutes
64. Abdul Latif Abou Heif (Egypt) in Montreal (Canada) in 1966 in 29 hours
65. Kim Middleton (Canada) 31.7 miles (51 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 1993 in 29 hours
66. Jose Cortinas (Cuba) 20.2 miles (32.5 km) in a crossing of the Catalina Channel (California, USA) in 1952 in 28 hours 55 minutes
67. Jackie Cobell (UK) 21 miles (33.7 km) across the English Channel (England-France) in 2010 in 28 hours 44 minutes
68. Batista Pereira (Portugal) 128 miles (206 km) down the Tejo River (Portugal) in 1959 in 28 hours 43 minutes
69. Tina Neill (USA) 52 miles (km) from San Clemente Island to California (USA) in 2012 in 28 hours 41 minutes
70. Anne Cleveland (USA) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 2004 in 28 hours 36 minutes
71. Philip Rush (New Zealand) 63 miles 102 km) in a three-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 1987 in 28 hours 21 minutes
72. Vojislav Mijić (Serbia) 108.7 miles (175 km) down the River Danube in Eastern Europe in 1994 in 38 hours 12 minutes
73. Martin Strel (Slovenia) 65 miles (105 km) down the Krka River (Slovenia) in 1992 in 28 hours 0 minutes
74. Ray Gandy (USA) 45.6 miles (73 km) in Narraganset Bay (Rhode Island, USA) in 2011 in 27 hours 42 minutes
75. Liane Llewellyn (UK) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 2009 in 27 hours 35 minutes
76. Diana Nyad (USA) 52 miles (82 km) from the North Bimini Island (Bahamas) to Florida (USA) in 1979 in 27 hours 30 minutes
77. Des Renford MBE (Australia) 58 miles (93 km) from Sydney Harbour to North Wollongong Harbour (Australia) in 1974 in 27 hours 29 minutes
78. Nick Adams (UK) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 1995 in 27 hours 28 minutes
79. Rick Goodwin (Canada) 32 miles (51 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 1994 in 27 hours 6 minutes
80. Vicki Keith (Canada) 32 miles (51 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 1986 in 26 hours 59 minutes
81. Greta Andersen (USA/Denmark) 40.4 miles (65 km) in a two-way crossing of the Catalina Channel (California, USA) in 26 hours 53 minutes
82. Kevin Murphy (UK) 56 miles (90 km) around the Isle of Wight (UK) in 1971 in 26 hours 51 minutes
83. Henry Sullivan (USA) 21 miles (33.7 km) in a crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 26 hours 50 minutes
84. John Bulsza (USA) 34.5 miles (55 km) across Lake Huron (USA-to-Canada) in 1996 in 26 hours 49 minutes
85. Annaleise Carr (Canada) 31.3 miles (50.5 km) across Lake Ontario (USA-to-Canada) in 2012 in 26 hours 41 minutes
86. Anna Wardley (UK) 56 miles (90 km) around the Isle of Wight (UK) in 2013 in 26 hours 33 minutes
87. Kim Lumsdon (Canada) 32 miles (51 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 2006 in 26 hours 27 minutes
88. Doreen Miller (USA), 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel in 2014 in 26 hours 21 minutes
89. Michael Read MBE (UK) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a four-way crossing of Windermere (England) in 1972 in 26 hours 16 minutes
90. Alper Sunaçoğlu (Turkey) 48.4 miles (78 km) from Turkey to Cyprus in 2010 in 26 hours 15 minutes
91. Kim Middleton (Canada) 29 miles (47 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 1994 in 26 hours 14 minutes
92. Mike Read MBE (UK) 42 miles (67.5 km) four-way crossing of Windermere in 26 hours 3 minutes
93. Shelagh Freedman (Canada) 32 miles (51 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 1993 in 26 hours 3 minutes
94. Tony Bailey (UK) 20.1 miles (33.7 km) across the English Channel in 2014 in 25 hours 56 minutes
95. Pat Budney (USA) 26 miles (42 km) across Lake Erie from Canada to USA in 1975 in 25 hours 52 minutes
96. Stuart Johnson (Australia) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 2011 in 25 hours 50 minutes
97. Mihir Sen (India) 35 miles (56 km) across the Palk Strait from India to Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in 25 hours 44 minutes
98. Paula Stephanson (Canada) 31.9 miles (51 km) across Lake Michigan (USA) in 2009 in 25 hours 38 minutes
99. Forrest Nelson (USA) 48 miles (77 km) in a circumnavigation around Catalina Island (California, USA) in 2011 in 25 hours 35 minutes
100. Attila Manyoki (Hungary) 49.7 miles (80 km) in Lake Balaton (Hungary) in 2008 in 25 hours 32 minutes
101. Bob Weir (Canada) 35 miles (56 km) across Lakes Couchiching/Simcoe (Canada) in 1991 in 25 hours 8 minutes
102. Bill Sadlo (America) 32 miles (51 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 1957 in 25 hours 1 minute
103. Palmer Donnelly (USA) 35 miles (56 km) around Staten Island (New York, USA) in 1961 in 25 hours 0 minutes
104. Elizabeth Fry (USA) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 2011 in 24 hours 41 minutes
105. Michael Read MBE (UK) 56 miles (90 km) around the Isle of Wight (UK) in 1972 in 24 hours 36 minutes
106. Jaime Caballero (Spain) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 2013 in 24 hours 36 minutes
107. Craig Lenning (USA) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of Lake Tahoe in 2013 in 24 hours 35 minutes
108. Cindy Cleveland (USA) 40.2 miles (65 km) in a two-way crossing of the Catalina Channel (California, USA) in 1977 in 24 hours 30 minutes
109. Jon Erikson (USA) 36.75 miles (59 km) in Lake Michigan (Michigan City – Chicago, Illinois, USA) in 1971 in 24 hours 30 minutes
110. Madhu Nagaraja (India) 25.6 miles (41.3 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 2012 in 24 hours 29 minutes
111. Susanne Robinson (Canada) 32 miles (51 km) across Lake Ontario (Canada) in 2010 in 24 hours 28 minutes
112. Lilian Harrison (Argentina) 30 miles (49 km) swam the river Plate (Uruguay) in 1923 in 24 hours 19 minutes
113. Marcy MacDonald (USA) 42 miles (67.5 km) in a two-way crossing of the English Channel in 2013 in 24 hours 16 minutes
114. John Muenzer (USA) 36 miles (57.9 km) across Lake Erie (Canada to USA) in 24 hours 12 minutes
115. Beth French (UK) 26 miles (42 km) across the Molokai Channel (Molokai to Oahu) in 24 hours 10 minutes
116. Anna McClarnon (UK) 21 miles (33.7 km) in a crossing of the English Channel (England-France) in 2002 in 24 hours 8 minutes
117. Enrique Tirabocchi (Italy) 32 miles (51.9 km) down the River de la Plata (Argentina) in 1920 in 24 hours 2 minutes
118. Amy Hiland (USA) 20.2 miles (32.5 km) in a crossing of the Catalina Channel (California, USA) in 1958 in 24 hours 0 minutes 25 seconds

* Kevin Murphy’s 1975 swim was notable because he was ordered out of the water because of bad weather after swimming non-stop for 52 hours 30 minutes when he was halfway back on his third leg. “I think my 52½ hours in the sea for that first three-way attempt was my best ever swim – which is odd really because it ended in failure. I do like to think it moved the goalposts and proved that a three-way could be done, but it took the likes of Jon Erikson, Philip Rush and Alison Streeter to do that.”

** The reported distance of Veljko Rogošić’s swim in the Adriatic Sea in 2006 is 139.8 statute miles (225 km). But the distance between his starting and finishing cities appears to be only a total straight-line tangent distance of 121 statute miles (194.7 km), based on confirmation on Google Maps. However, information on the exact GPS coordinates of the starting and finishing positions are not known and were not reported.

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