Solo Swim Rules

Summary of Key CSPF Rules for Solo Swims (up to date as of 21 February 2026)

This section provides a summarised overview of the principal rules as extracted from the main Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation (CSPF) rules. All participants are required to review this summary thoroughly to ensure full understanding and compliance. In case of any dispute or complaint the full set of published rules take precedent.

Confirmation of Understanding

After signing your CS&PF solo application form you have indicated that you understand the rules.

Further Information and Enquiries

If you have any queries regarding the regulations or require additional clarification, you are encouraged to consult the official rules, which can be found here: https://cspf.co.uk/cs-and-pf-rules

Alternatively, you may contact the Honorary Secretary directly at secretary@cspf.co.uk.

11. SWIMMING RULES

Swim Categories and Swimwear Regulations

Swim Categories

Swims will be categorised as Standard, Special, or Assisted based on the specific methods and/or aids used during the swim.

1. Standard Swimsuit Clarification

The rules for standard swimsuits are as follows:

  • The swimmer may wear only one swimsuit, which may be in one or two pieces. The swimsuit must not extend past the shoulder or below the knee.
  • All swimsuits must be constructed from textile materials.
  • Swim caps must not be made from neoprene or any other material that offers similar heat retention properties, as judged by the CS&PF Committee.

Swimwear and Equipment

  • During a standard English Channel attempt, the use or wearing of any device or swimsuit that could aid speed, buoyancy, heat retention, or endurance is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, wetsuits, webbed gloves, paddles, and fins.
  • The swimmer is allowed to grease the body before the swim and to use goggles and one hat.
  • Nose clips and earplugs are permitted.
  • No form of tape may be applied to the body unless it has been approved in advance by the committee and clarified by the observer.
  • The use of MP3 players and other electrical audio devices by the swimmer is not permitted during an English Channel swim attempt, except in circumstances where their use is required for safety reasons.

Permitted Male Costumes

  • Swimmers may wear textile, non-performance-enhancing traditional swimming trunks or jammers, which cover from the waist to the knee.
  • The material must be knitted (not woven), with sewn (not bonded or taped) seams.
  • The costume must not have a hydrophobic coating.

Permitted Female Costumes

  • Swimmers may wear textile, non-performance-enhancing traditional female costumes, or costumes that extend from the shoulders to the knees.
  • The material must be knitted (not woven), with sewn (not bonded or taped) seams.
  • The costume must not have a hydrophobic coating.

Permitted Swim Caps

  • Silicone or latex hats are permitted.

Observer’s Role and Pre-Swim Confirmation

The Observer will observe all aspects of the swim, maintain a record, and prepare a report for submission to the CS&PF for ratification. They will review swimwear and equipment, and record anything they have concerns about. It is essential that the swimmer ensures their costume and cap are of an approved type prior to the start of the swim, as failure to comply may result in the swim not being recognised. If there is any uncertainty regarding compliance, swimmers are advised to seek guidance or approval from the CS&PF Committee well in advance, allowing adequate time for any necessary research or investigation to be conducted.

2 – Regulations During a Swim

Throughout the course of the swim, strict rules regarding swimmer interaction and support team must be observed. At no point may any person make physical contact with the swimmer, except when passing food and drink, or for the purpose of securing items such as light sticks that are required for safety. Any other form of physical contact is expressly prohibited.

Support Swimmer

During solo swims, the swimmer may be accompanied in the water by only one person, and no support swimmer is allowed until after the first three hours of the swim have elapsed. The period of support swimmer is limited to a maximum of one hour and may not be repeated until at least two hours have passed following the end of the previous support swim.

The support swimmer may swim alongside the solo swimmer but must not swim ahead or impede their progress in any way.

Health and Safety Provisions

For health and safety reasons, the CS&PF pilot or ship’s master must approve any request for a support swimmer before that person enters the water to accompany the solo swimmer.

At their discretion, the pilot or ship’s master may permit a second swimmer to join the solo swimmer outside of the stipulated times for a brief period on safety grounds, for example if the swimmer is suffering severe cramps. Additionally, accompaniment may be authorised at the very end of a solo swim if conditions require, and this may be granted even if it falls within two hours of a previous accompaniment.

3 – Swim Start & Finish

For a swim to receive official recognition, the swimmer is required to begin their attempt by entering the sea directly from the designated shore of departure. The crossing of the English Channel must be achieved by swimming continuously to one of the following endpoints:

  1. Finishing on dry land: The swimmer must complete the swim by arriving on and standing upon dry land on the opposite coast, ensuring no seawater remains beyond this point.
  2. Touching steep cliffs: Alternatively, the swim is considered complete if the swimmer makes contact with the steep cliffs of the opposing shoreline, provided there is no additional seawater beyond the point of contact.
  3. Landing in harbour water: In certain circumstances, it is permissible for the swimmer to finish within harbour waters, provided the landing is executed in the same manner as specified for finishing on dry land.
  4. Touching the Calais outer harbour wall: If conditions arise where the swim may need to be aborted or halted by the French authorities—particularly when an ebb tide threatens to carry the swimmer across the harbour entrance—the swim shall be deemed complete if the swimmer touches the Calais outer harbour wall.

4. Multiple Channel Crossings

For a multiple crossing to be officially recognised, the swimmer must comply with the following procedure upon reaching land:

  1. First landing: As soon as contact with the ground is made, the swimmer must land in accordance with the requirements set out in section 3, ensuring the landing is as direct as possible.
  2. Return to Water: The swimmer must immediately re-enter the water. Upon returning, they may stand or sit for a period not exceeding 10 minutes.
  3. Self-Sufficiency During Rest: During this 10-minute interval, the swimmer must not be physically touched by any other person. However, they may be handed food, grease, medicines, or swimming apparel, which must be self-administered.
  4. Resumption of Swimming: In agreement with the Observer, the swimmer must then proceed by the most direct and reasonable route to water of sufficient depth in which to resume swimming.
  5. Observer’s Authority: All actions and rulings by the Observer during this process will be officially recorded and are subject to ratification by the Committee.
  6. Time Calculation: The time spent during the interval before commencing the return swim will be added to the overall time for the subsequent crossing.

4. Use of Drugs

The use of drugs by participants in Channel Swimming is strictly prohibited, except where such drugs are required for medical purposes and are administered in accordance with medical advice. This prohibition reflects the complete disapproval of performance-enhancing substances and upholds the integrity and spirit of the sport. Any swimmer who is unable to participate without the administration of drugs classified as banned must submit a formal application to the CS&PF Committee, allowing sufficient time for the Committee to consider the request.

The CS&PF retains the authority to carry out random drug testing on Channel swim aspirants, ensuring compliance with these regulations. Furthermore, the Observer may request a sample of any medication administered to the swimmer, which will be subject to review.

5. Assisted Swim

An assisted category swim shall adhere to all the established rules governing a standard swim, with the exception that, by prior arrangement with the CS&PF, the swimmer may be allowed the minimum additional aids or physical contact deemed necessary for the safety of the swim on medical or other agreed grounds. Such allowances must be made in advance and approved by the CS&PF Committee. An assisted category swim will be officially recognised only if prior agreement has been obtained from the Committee.