I must be a registered member of the Channel Swimming Association and adhere to their rules:

  Under go a medical and be declared ‘fit to swim’.

  Swim for 6 hours in open water on two consecutive days prior to the actual Channel Swim attempt.

  Be accompanied by a support boat, which communicates with the English and French Channel shipping

      authorities and navigates the route from England to France avoiding the 600 vessels crossing each day.

  Have on board a Channel Swimming Association observer to ensure that I adhere to the following rules:

       - Not have physical contact with the boat or persons on-board.

       - Wear nothing more than a swimming hat, swimming goggles, ear-plugs, nose clip and a standard swimming

         costume – sleeveless and legless, no item is to offer thermal protection. There is of course the notorious

         rubbing of petroleum jelly to the body, which is used to prevent chaffing - I also suspect it assists in

         preventing the body from shrivelling up after prolonged exposure to water!

       - The swim must start on natural shore, not from a groyne or breakwater and finishes on dry land, or touch

         steep cliffs of the opposite coast with no sea water beyond.