Two relay records set in the North Channel

One-way and two-way relay records have been set in the North Channel. On 28 July, Fast and Frozen, an international six-person relay team, successfully completed the first two-way crossing of the Channel. A week later, Team Infinity V, a team of swimmers from Camlough Lake, became the first five-person relay team to make the crossing.

Fast and Frozen comprised experienced cold water swimmers Henri Kaarma, Ryan Stramrood, Anna-Carin Nordin, Zdenek Tlamicha, Patrick Corcoran and Elina Makinen. The team were all podium finishers at the International Ice Swimming Association 1km Championships held in Murmansk, Russia, in February 2015, where they were challenged by Pádraig Mallon of Infinity Channel Swimming to undertake a two-way crossing. The crossing was the first time a two-way relay had even been attempted. The North Channel is regarded as one of the toughest marathon swims in the world because of its strong currents, cold water and jellyfish.
Fast and Frozen completed the first crossing from Ireland to Scotland in 15 hours 46 minutes and the return leg in 14 hours 13 minutes. The total swim time was 29 hours 57 minutes and each member swam five one-hour swims.
Team Infinity V successfully completed their one-way crossing in 13 hours 15 minutes on 7 August. Gillian McShane, Joe Belton, David Burke, Thomas O’Hagan and Noel Grimes had perfect conditions for their one-way five-person relay record.