4 Trailblazing Women Swim English Channel To Celebrate 100 Year Anniversary

It is a century since Gertrude ‘Trudi’  Ederle became the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel, crossing one of the most challenging stretches of water, on August 6th 1926.

And now four open water endurance swimmers have repeated that task in relay – also using it as an opportunity to promote to young people the importance of being able to swim.

Mariam Bin Laden from Saudi Arabia – who also did a solo swim across the Channel a decade ago – was joined by Mariana Moura Santon from Portugal, German Nathalie Pohl and Britain’s Jasmine Harrison from the UK on the epic journey.

Despite a choppy sea with strong winds – so bad that at one point the swim was in danger of being closed down after four hours in the water – the relay team completed the 48km task in 11 hours 28 mins.

Each woman spent an hour at a time in the water, forbidden to touch the boat or any other objects and having to keep at least one and a half metres away from the boat at all times.

“The conditions were rough,” said Mariam.

“And because each swimmer was only in the water for an hour, you had to maintain a fast pace throughout the entire swim.

“Once the hour was up we returned to the boat to warm up, Between the wind and cold weather staying warm between swims was another challenge.”

Taking part in the swim from Dover to Calais had involved six months of intensive training for Mariam, who is also the first Arab woman to swim the entire length of the River Thames along with taking part in a number of other challenges including ice glacier swimming in Austria and swimming from Saudia Arabia to Egypt.

Despite getting stung by a jellyfish during the swim she was determined to carry on and her and her team mates emerged victorious.

“Another reason I wanted to take on this challenge was to promote swimming among children,” said Mariam.

“I believe every child should have the opportunity to learn how to swim as it is an essential life skill that can help prevent drowning and ultimately save lives.

“I hope this achievement inspires more children to take up swimming and gives them greater confidence and safety in the water.”

Along with her love of swimming, Mariam is a dentist, environmentalist and philanthropist, supporting ocean conservation and women’s participation in sports.

LET’S TALK! If you are a brand or the media and want to partner / talk to Mariam or another of the quartet please email mark@athletemedia.co.uk or call +44 7952 304340.