Channel challenge

Karen Neville

Helen Jenkins from Godalming has always wanted to swim the Channel and now at the age of 53 she’s taking on the challenge in July 

I just have to keep swimming until I hit the sand in France” – put like that it sounds simple enough but Helen Jenkins who admits to being “nervous but excited to see if all the hard work and training will pay off” is under no illusion as to what lies ahead in her 33km challenge. 

Growing up Helen was a competitive club swimmer at Cranleigh ASC and told school friends that swimming the Channel was her dream. In 2021, with four other swimmers from Godalming Masters she completed an English Channel relay in 15 and a half hours but knew she wanted to give solo a go. 

“I never thought I’d have the opportunity but now that my children are older and more independent, I have a bit more time and headspace to devote to this challenge. It’s quite a ‘selfish’ thing to do given the amount of time devoted to training whilst juggling work as it means I’m out most evenings and weekends. Now seems the right time whilst I still have some energy. The average age of a Channel Swimmer is early 30s, I’m now 53 so have left it quite late to start marathon swimming,” she says. 

Helen has been training hard for the feat over the past two years, attending a swim camp in Dover in October last year and in Menorca over Easter. Over the past few months she has increased pool training to 30km a week and longer sea swims in Dover. She explains: “To be allowed to attempt a Channel swim, you need to complete a six-hour swim in water under 16 degrees and I’ve now done three times six-hour swims and also a 10-hour swim on the swim camp in April where I swam 27km. The Channel will likely take me about 15 and a half hours.” 

Apart from the temperature – the swim, scheduled for between July 19th and 23rd, is weather and tide dependent – Helen will also face changes in conditions while swimming, the tide, injury and jellyfish but despite all that she is hugely motivated by her aim to raise £20,000 to be split between five charities – RAF Benevolent Fund, Pleasant Valley Camp, Charlie’s Promise, Young Minds & Dementia UK – which all have personal connections for her. 

“Everyone is incredibly supportive of me and I have an amazing family and friends who are on this journey with me,” says Helen. “Some of them think I’m nuts to be taking on this swim. They’ve been following my ups and downs and keeping me going with words of encouragement. 

“Having a challenge in life is often what keeps us going, both physically and mentally. Being a woman of a certain age has added complications over the last few years but having always been a swimmer, I know being in water is my happy place where I can go to switch off or unwind so would encourage anyone to give endurance swimming a go!” 

For more about the swim & Helen’s chosen charities see https://gofund.me/135ae85d