The Challenge

22 miles, 12 weeks, your Pool. Conquer the Channel in your own time and raise essential funds for people paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury! 

It’s a big challenge, but you can do it. Take on the distance however you like – on your own, in a team with your family and friends, or even set yourself a bigger challenge. It’s up to you!

We’re here to make this swim your best yet. If you need anything, just email us at swim@aspire.org.uk, and join us and your fellow swimmers on our Facebook group! 

Below we've listed some of the most common pool sizes and how many lengths you'll have to swim each week to arrive in "France". Take on the distance by yourself, or register with a team and share the lengths, it's up to you!

FAQs

Find the answer to some commonly asked questions below. If you have any other questions, please email us at swim@aspire.org.uk.

Take part with Swimtag!

Thanks to our partnership with SWIMTAG, you can now track your Aspire Channel Swim without a fitness tracker. SWIMTAG wristbands are available at over 150 swimming pools across the UK. You can search for your nearest pool on the SWIMTAG website. Even if you don't have a pool close to you with a club SWIMTAG system, you can still download the SWIMTAG app and track your swims either by entering them manually, or by linking a swim tracking smart watch such as an Apple watch or Garmin. Just search on the App Store or on Google Play and create your free account. You then just click on the "Challenge" tab, find the Aspire Channel swim and away you go!

Helping to change lives

Every four hours someone in the UK is paralysed by a spinal cord injury, and no one is ever prepared for how it will change their life. The money you raise by taking part in the Aspire Channel Swim will help spinal injured people to live independently.   

This year, Aspire Channel Swimmers will help fund our essential Welfare Benefits Advice Service to ensure that people receive the benefits that they’re entitled to, Aspire’s Accessible Housing Programme, which has 57 accessible houses people can live in while they’re waiting for permanent accommodation or house adaptations, our Assistive Technology Programme which allows anyone, regardless of the level of their spinal cord injury, to use a computer, tablet or phone independently, our Housing Advice Service and our Independent Living Advisors so that newly injured patients have someone to speak to.  

Every penny you raise is extremely important to us. Please aim high and raise as much as you can!