English Channel swimming: From Gertrude Ederle to Salima Bouayad Agha

The English Channel continues to serve as a significant site for historic and modern swimming feats. On August 6, 1926, American swimmer Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the Channel. Completing the crossing in 14 hours and 31 minutes, she surpassed the existing men's record by nearly two hours.

In a contemporary display of endurance, 67-year-old Salima Bouayad Agha, an economics professor from Le Mans, is preparing to attempt the same crossing. Following three years of rigorous training involving ten hours of swimming per week and strength training, she is scheduled to attempt the swim from Dover in early September, pending favorable weather and tidal conditions.