Around Jersey
Probably the most well trodden path on the Channel Island map, the Around Jersey swim is an exciting, technical, circumnavigation with a bit of everything en route. From the rocky shallows of the south east "Gutters", via granite cliffs along the north to the golden expanse of St. Ouen's Bay on the west coast, the ever changing scenery is mirrored in the powerful spring tide that carries you at a sometimes phenomenal rate around this 32 nautical mile (37 miles/60km) course.
From the marina, it is a short 5 minute boat ride out to the Elizabeth Castle breakwater where you will touch the wall to begin your swim.
From here, you will be following "Lioncub", our smaller daughter craft, through the shallow, rocky gulleys of the south east coast with Lionheart following a few hundred metres away at most. There is an opportunity approximately 1 hour in where your support crew on Lionheart will be able to pass you a feed. Once through La Rocque harbour (bottom right corner) and into the relatively deeper water of Grouville Bay, Lioncub will depart and you will continue your journey alongside Lionheart.
It is important to note: Solo feeds or relay changeovers during the first 2 hours are determined by location rather than time, some flexibility may be required. With safety being a major factor, there is allowance for this in marathon swimming rules.
With the excitement of the south east coast out of the way, it is time to get your head down and settle into a rhythm. The east coast is often sheltered from the prevailing wind but the ebb tide is only just starting to move, providing limited assistance. Passing Gorey harbour with its imposing castle, we start to build some speed as we approach the 700m long breakwater at St. Catherine's. Rounding the north east corner of the island from the breakwater to La Coupe point, conditions can be quite lively depending on wind strength and direction, the price to pay for being wooshed along at speeds sometimes approaching 10 km/h!
300ft cliffs dominate the view along the north coast of Jersey, topped off by the TV mast at Fremont, marking the theoretical half way mark. There is usually a good push from the tide all the way along this coast although a breeze from the west or north west can make it rather uncomfortable. The next major milestone is Gronez Point in the top left corner. This area has a ferocious reputation, the 5-6 km/h tide flowing south west straight into the prevailing wind combined with an Atlantic swell being tripped up by the rapidly shelving seabed. Even a moderate force 4 wind can produce a wave height of 2.5m+ here.
Once Gronez has been successfully negotiated, we hope now for smoother seas down the west coast, St. Ouen Bay. Often described as the toughest part of the swim, Corbiere Lighthouse should be visible 5 miles distant on the south west corner. Now approaching low water, the tidal assistance again dies off, leaving the lighthouse frustratingly not getting any bigger!
Once you do get there, say cheese for your obligatory photo under this iconic lighthouse then on with the home straight. The tide should slowly build speed as we get into the spring flood, peaking with another woosh past Noirmont Point. Don't mistake the black/white stripes of the Noirmont light for those on the Castle Breakwater, you're not quite there yet. Across St. Aubin's Bay as we merge in with the rest of the traffic in and out of the busy port, a firmly placed hand on this side of the wall, a blast from the horn and you're done!
Please take note: This is a near 60km swim that is only possible due to significant tidal assistance, hence bookings are only taken on the biggest spring tides. This also means there is a minimum swim speed that must be maintained in order to meet cut offs. It's not an exceptionally high speed but it is not a beginner's swim. You should be confident that you can maintain a reasonable pace for 12 hours.
From the marina, it is a short 5 minute boat ride out to the Elizabeth Castle breakwater where you will touch the wall to begin your swim.
From here, you will be following "Lioncub", our smaller daughter craft, through the shallow, rocky gulleys of the south east coast with Lionheart following a few hundred metres away at most. There is an opportunity approximately 1 hour in where your support crew on Lionheart will be able to pass you a feed. Once through La Rocque harbour (bottom right corner) and into the relatively deeper water of Grouville Bay, Lioncub will depart and you will continue your journey alongside Lionheart.
It is important to note: Solo feeds or relay changeovers during the first 2 hours are determined by location rather than time, some flexibility may be required. With safety being a major factor, there is allowance for this in marathon swimming rules.
With the excitement of the south east coast out of the way, it is time to get your head down and settle into a rhythm. The east coast is often sheltered from the prevailing wind but the ebb tide is only just starting to move, providing limited assistance. Passing Gorey harbour with its imposing castle, we start to build some speed as we approach the 700m long breakwater at St. Catherine's. Rounding the north east corner of the island from the breakwater to La Coupe point, conditions can be quite lively depending on wind strength and direction, the price to pay for being wooshed along at speeds sometimes approaching 10 km/h!
300ft cliffs dominate the view along the north coast of Jersey, topped off by the TV mast at Fremont, marking the theoretical half way mark. There is usually a good push from the tide all the way along this coast although a breeze from the west or north west can make it rather uncomfortable. The next major milestone is Gronez Point in the top left corner. This area has a ferocious reputation, the 5-6 km/h tide flowing south west straight into the prevailing wind combined with an Atlantic swell being tripped up by the rapidly shelving seabed. Even a moderate force 4 wind can produce a wave height of 2.5m+ here.
Once Gronez has been successfully negotiated, we hope now for smoother seas down the west coast, St. Ouen Bay. Often described as the toughest part of the swim, Corbiere Lighthouse should be visible 5 miles distant on the south west corner. Now approaching low water, the tidal assistance again dies off, leaving the lighthouse frustratingly not getting any bigger!
Once you do get there, say cheese for your obligatory photo under this iconic lighthouse then on with the home straight. The tide should slowly build speed as we get into the spring flood, peaking with another woosh past Noirmont Point. Don't mistake the black/white stripes of the Noirmont light for those on the Castle Breakwater, you're not quite there yet. Across St. Aubin's Bay as we merge in with the rest of the traffic in and out of the busy port, a firmly placed hand on this side of the wall, a blast from the horn and you're done!
Please take note: This is a near 60km swim that is only possible due to significant tidal assistance, hence bookings are only taken on the biggest spring tides. This also means there is a minimum swim speed that must be maintained in order to meet cut offs. It's not an exceptionally high speed but it is not a beginner's swim. You should be confident that you can maintain a reasonable pace for 12 hours.
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