Episode 20 - Tom Gregory - youngest ever English Channel Swimmer (11yrs old!)

Swim Smooth

Today we are back with Season 2 of the Swim Smooth podcast after a lengthy hiatus, and boy-o-boy do we have a great show for you today!
Have you ever thought about swimming the English Channel? The busiest shipping lane in the world; typically 14-17 degrees celcius and non-wetsuit over a distance that frequently extends to 50km due to the current and tides that prevail in this stretch of water? Yes, no, maybe? Now, imagine taking on this adventure in the middle of the night at the age of 11 years old. Well, that is exactly what our guest today did way back in September 1988 to set the world record at the age of 11 years and 333 days! Totally amazing - please welcome Tom Gregory to the show!
Tom wrote a brilliant memoir about his experience some 30 years later on and we highly recommend reading this brilliant book published by Penguin: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/304/304736/a-boy-in-the-water/9780141988757.html

It's a brilliant story about the connection between a boy and his dedicated coach John Bullet (or "JB") to take on what many people still see as being the "Everest" of open water swimming.
We really hope you enjoy this podcast with Tom and welcome you back to Season 2 of the Swim Smooth podcast!