The Channel Swim

In September 2014 a team of four Blesma Members became the first all-amputee team to swim across the English Channel.

The team swam in relay and according to the rules outlined by the Official Channel Swimming Association, which do not make any special dispensations for amputees. The rules only allowed the swimmers to wear swim shorts and a swimming cap – so no wetsuits! The guys swam without wearing their prosthetics.

The swimmers trained throughout the year to acclimatise to the water temperature, which was around 18°c. To put this into perspective, a comfortably warm bath is usually in the region of 38-41°c, which is a few degrees above body temperature. Training events included Chillswim Coniston in the Lake District where the temperature averaged at 15.8°c!

"It’s not every day you get to set a world record and also raise money and the profile of Blesma. I'm proud to have been part of the team and hopefully it has inspired others in some way to go on and get involved." - Craig Howort

The Team

Craig Howorth: Craig is a right leg below-the-knee amputee after losing his leg in a road traffic accident in 2006. Craig had previously served as a submariner in the Royal Navy from 1988 to 1993. He currently lives in Bacup, Lancashire and now works as a trail leader for Military Mountain Bikers.

Jamie Gillespie: Jamie was serving as a Sapper with the Royal Engineers when he was involved in a road traffic accident and lost his left leg below the knee in 1994. He was discharged from the Army in 1995 and has since retrained as a prosthetist and is living in Watford.

Stephen White: Stephen was serving as a Rifleman with The Royal Green Jackets when a cruciate knee injury led to him losing his left leg above the knee. Stephen was discharged from the Army in 1987 and has since become a Chief Executive. 

Conrad Thorpe: Conrad was born and grew up in East Africa and represented Kenya at the Commonwealth Games in 1982. He served in the Royal Marines for 21 years, during which time he was selected for the Special Boat Service and served all over the world with them, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Conrad damaged his ankle while running which eventually led to an elective amputation in 2011. Jamie is his prosthetist - which is also how he joined the team. Conrad is now the Chief Executive of one of Africa’s leading risk management and security companies.

The same team will be swimming the English Channel for the second time on September 23rd, 2024!