A transformational journey

With 100% success rate of getting her relayers across the English Channel, head coach of the Mencap Marvels Nikki Pope is looking forward to another exciting year for her challengers who find a new level of confidence in the water

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“The English Channel is one of the most iconic swims in the world. You’ll never look at that body of water in the same way once you’ve swum it,” says Nikki Pope, head coach of the Mencap Marvels, “But you need to respect it. And one of the best ways to show your respect is to do a relay, and map out the journey in your head.”

Triple Crown open water swimmer Nikki and her wife Cate have been organising English Channel relays with the Mencap Marvels since 2020, raising money for learning disability charity Mencap. Nikki’s 100% success rate of getting her Marvels across is testament to her dedication to her swimmers and their training. 

“I have a passion to help people be the best they can be,” Nikki says. “If you follow our training programme, you’ll succeed. And once you’ve done that, you’re in a good position to take on any other swim challenge.”  

The sky’s the limit

So emboldened by their experience of swimming an English Channel relay, many Marvels go on to challenge themselves to epic solo swims, including Rory Kaye, who plans to do an English Channel solo on his 16th birthday later this year, which Nikki is supporting him with. 

“When Rory joined the Mencap Marvels he had more determination than competence. In all honesty we did not know if ‘wiggly worm Rory’ would ever make the final cut for the relay,” Nikki says. “He has now completed two English Channel relays and is about to complete a third – before celebrating his 16th birthday with an English Channel solo.”

Be the best you can be

Nikki and the Mencap Marvels are recruiting English Channel relayers for 2026 and are encouraging anyone with dedication and a passion for swimming to take part. As well as preparing training plans for the swimmers, Nikki sorts all the paperwork for the crossing, offers monthly Zoom training calls and organises WhatsApp groups so Marvels can enjoy peer to peer support, learning and fun. There’s also opportunity for cold water acclimatisation and night swims so the swimmers are ready for success.

“It’s the most exciting relay in the world. And once you’ve cracked it, it’s the foundation for everything else you want to do,” Nikki says. “If you sign up with the Mencap Marvels and follow our programme, you’ll achieve something wonderful. And then you’ll have the blueprint to take it much further.”

To sign up for an English Channel relay swim in 2026 with the Mencap Marvels, head to englishchannelrelay.com