Courtesy of the Channel Swimming Association, English Channel.
Among the hundreds of inspirational athletes of all ages who challenged themselves year in and year out across the English Channel under the auspices of the Channel Swimming Association, it has got to be difficult to select the single Most Meritorious Swim.
The toughest? Is it the longest? Fastest? Slowest? Most difficult?
In the 2019 season, Rick Seirer‘s 29 hour 46 minute two-way crossing was selected.
Three years earlier, Seirer crossed of the English Channel from England to France for the first time, finishing in 11 hours 58 minutes at the age of 56. But he set his sights higher on his second try.
He swam 11 hours 55 minutes on his first leg and kept on going another 17 hours 48 minutes on his second leg to complete a 67 km double crossing in 29 hours 46 minute last August. The 59-year-old from Australia received the 2019 Channel Swimming Association Award for its Most Meritorious Swim.
Other 2019 Channel Swimming Association Award recipients include the following athletes:
BLDSA Swimmer of the Year: Kathryn Perry (12 hour 11 minute crossing)
CSA Observer of the Year: Keith Oiller
CSA Special Award: Oleg Ivanenko (17 hour 50 minute crossing)
CSA Special Award: Lavington Channel Chargers with Matthew Byford, Rebecca Hobbs, Benjamin Jones, Mollie Sutton, William Woodward, Harriet Woodward in 13 hours 8 minutes
Earliest / Latest Swim: Georgia Hall (11 hour 49 minute crossing)
Fastest 2 Way Swim: Brianna Thompson (22 hour 37 minute crossing)
Fastest American Swim: Brent Willess (10 hour 41 minute crossing)
Fastest British Lady: Georgia Hall (11 hour 49 minute crossing)
Fastest Junior Relay Team: Lavington Challengers Take 2 (12 hour 40 minute crossing)
Fastest Ladies Relay Team: Six Pleiades Team (13 hour 57 minute crossing)
Fastest Ladies Relay Team (not 6 Swimmers): Crazy Crawlers (12 hour 10 minute crossing)
Fastest Men’s Relay Team (not 6 Swimmers): Ocean Revival 2020 (15 hour 3 minute crossing)
Fastest Mixed Relay Team: ROMANIA 2019 (10 hour 25 minute crossing)
Fastest Mixed Relay Team (not 6 Swimmers): Brucey’s Squad (10 hour 8 minute crossing)
Fastest Relay Team: ROMANIA 2019 (10 hour 25 minute crossing)
Fastest Solo Swim: Chloë McCardel (10 hour 4 minute crossing)
Fastest Swim by a British Person: Alexander Begg (11 hour 0 minute crossing)
Fastest Swim by a Lady: Chloë McCardel (10 hour 4 minute crossing)
Fastest Swim by a Man: William Slinn (10 hour 21 minute crossing)
Fastest Swim on the Highest Tide: Chloë McCardel (11 hour 37 minute crossing)
Female Pioneer Swim: Anel Sytdykova (15 hour 15 minute crossing)
Greatest Contribution to the CSA: Peter May
Greatest Feat of Endurance: Nikki Pope (18 hour 22 minute crossing)
Greatest Feat of Endurance by a Ladies Relay Team: North Norfolk Crawlers Sister Act (12 hour 27 minute crossing)
King of the Channel® – Most Swims by a Man: Michael Read
Most Meritorious Swim: Rick Seirer (29 hour 46 minute two-way crossing)
Oldest Successful Swimmer: Peter Tucker (15 hour 38 minute crossing)
Queen of the Channel® – Most Swims by a Lady: Alison Streeter
Special Award to a Disabled Swimmer: Markéta Pechová (12 hour 31 minute crossing)
Swim in the most Arduous Conditions: Georgia Hall (11 hour 49 minute crossing)
Swimmer from a New Country: Val Kalmikovs (11 hour 13 minute crossing)
Swimmer from a New Country: Anel Sytdykova (15 hour 15 minute crossing)
Youngest Relay Team: Lavington Challengers Take 2 (12 hour 40 minute crossing)
Youngest Successful Swimmer: Brianna Thompson (22 hour 37 minute crossing)
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