Last week, Helen Hislop was back in swim action again as she took on the very challenging Bristol Channel crossing.
This is one of the long distance swims Helen is taking on this year with both Loch Lomond and a return to the North Channel later in the year.
Bristol Channel Porthcawl – Glenthorne
On Wednesday 24th of June 2026 I successfully completed the Bristol Channel. I set off the previous evening from Porthcawl at 11:10pm and touched the rocks 9 hours, 3 minutes and 13 seconds later in Glenthorne, Devon.
It was a tough but beautiful swim. I was blessed with good conditions and had a superb team to support me. I knew I was in good hands with my GB ice swimming teammate, Sian Clement, who kindly volunteered to observe for me and is an exceptionally accomplished Bristol Channel swimmer in her own right. My husband, Iain Hislop crewed, and I was expertly guided by Steven and Luke from Bristol Channel Swimming, on their rib, Cobra.
This is an iconic marathon swim which makes up part of the Original Triple Crown of the: English Channel, Bristol Channel and North Channel. Being based in the United Kingdom, it is a more accessible swim for me, financially and geographically. I chose the shorter of the two eligible routes as I was mindful of the two other marathon swims I have booked this year (Loch Lomond and The North Channel).
I will admit I was not as familiar with the Bristol Channel as her English and Irish counter parts, but I knew she has the second highest tides globally, resulting in formidable currents and rapidly changing conditions which often mean getting the go ahead to swim in your window is far from guaranteed.
I had assumed being early in the season my swim would be on the cooler side, but my window landed during the UKs heat wave with unprecedented high temperatures which meant a careful consideration of feeds.
We met with Ceri, from Swansea Water Sports, who explained the route and pointed to Glenthorne on the map, which I had hither too been unable to locate. The swim would be at night. If I’m honest, I prefer to swim in the day but have come to appreciate and train for any possibility. Given the high temperatures a night swim was probably preferable and so close to the summer solstice the amount of time swimming in the dark would be minimal.
I would be going at the same time as a relay, a relay that included the incredible Sophie James who I knew from her amazing North Channel swim in 2025 but had never met in person.
There was a debrief at Swansea Marina, at 8:00pm and at 9:00pm everyone got onto the rib to be taken to Porthcawl, whilst Ceri forged ahead on Shee Ann.
As we sped along with the wind in my hair and the setting sun silhouetting the Swansea Skyline in orange and red, the Miami Vice theme tune played in my head. Marathon swimming attire could never compete with those iconic 80s fashions, even so, I could not help but feel a little glamourous as we whizzed across the waves.
At Porthcawl the relay team disembarked and joined Ceri on the more luxurious, Shee Ann (replete with toilet and shower).
As the light dwindled my nerves / excitement increased. Despite having trained appropriately and knowing this swim was within my capabilities, the racing heart, churning stomach and dry mouth that always precede the start of a swim were there in full force.
I greased up, fixed my goggles, added lights to the strap and the back of my costume, then it was time to swim to shore.
A raised hand and we were away.
I fed every 30-minutes and tried to keep them brief. I found the green glow stick on the side of the rib helpful and a comforting presence in the dark.
On a few occasions I swam into a wall of jellyfish! My fingers either passed through them or scouped them up. I sustained multiple stings to my nose and extremities but fortunately it was fleeting and did not linger.
Prior to the swim I had successfully tried clear goggles on a night swim but now they leaked and I was having to clear them at every feed which was irritating and frustrating.
Just before dawn I noticed little green sparks in the water as I pulled, I thought this must be a minor form of the bioluminescence that I had been told about. Perhaps it wasn’t as spectacular as the phenomena can be, but it was something special that I’ve never experienced before.
Throughout the swim I felt in control, I did get some right shoulder and back discomfort but nothing intrusive. Paracetamol was prophylactically mixed in with my feeds at 4 hourly intervals. Overall, I felt my stroke was consistent and I was able to put on a burst of speed for the last half hour which I was happy about.
It did feel a little laborious at times which was hard mentally and at one point I seemed to be moving away from the boat a lot and I worried that might be perceived as a me being in difficulty. The boat stopped, and the pilot said he was having trouble navigating which was a bit disconcerting – thankfully the situation resolved within half an hour.
Towards the end I could see land and made the mistake of looking at it and it never got any closer. It is very difficult to gauge distance with no references, I was beginning to think I may be stuck in a current (I wasn’t), so I was ecstatic when I was told I had a nautical mile left. I went for it! The finish was rocky, and difficult to navigate but I was able to climb onto a boulder and clear the water.
Overall, the swim went very well, I was pleased with my performance and time and very grateful to my crew, observer, and pilots.
The magnitude of completing this swim is just kicking in, as always, I could not have done this without my coaches, Karen Quartermain and Dave at Uswim Openwater / Qswim Adventure, The Swimmer’s Doc,, my friends, family and swim community, Total Transition Triathlon Club and Route Fiftysixers.. I am constantly humbled by the good wishes and support of the marathon swimming community.
I have a few days to recover now then it’s back to training for Loch Lomond with Qswim and the North Channel with infinity Channel Swimming Iater in the year. I am looking forward to seeing my Donaghadee “Chunky Dunkers” Swimming Gang! SKINS ONLY GROUP in Ireland. Hopefully I won’t have used up my allowance with the weather gods, and I will get the opportunity to tackle these amazing swims in their stunning and beautiful locations.
Many thanks to Iain, Sian, Steve and Ceri for the photos.
