International women relay across the English Channel to mark 100 years since Ederle

Four endurance swimmers from Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Germany and Britain completed a relay crossing of the English Channel in 11 hours 28 minutes, using the anniversary swim to spotlight water safety for children. The effort marked 100 years since Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the Channel solo in 1926.

Why it matters: - The relay tied a modern endurance feat to a historic milestone in women’s sport. - The swimmers also used the crossing to argue for broader swimming access and water-safety education for children. - The message carries real-world weight because swimming can reduce drowning risk and build confidence in the water.

What happened: - Four international open water endurance swimmers completed a relay crossing of the English Channel on July 23, 2026. - The team included Mariam Binladen of Saudi Arabia, Mariana Moura Santon of Portugal, Nathalie Pohl of Germany and Jasmine Harrison of Britain. - The swim covered the Dover-to-Calais route and took 11 hours 28 minutes. - The effort marked 100 years since Gertrude “Trudi” Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel on August 6, 1926.

The details: - The sea was choppy and winds were strong enough that the swim was at one point close to being stopped after four hours in the water. - Each swimmer spent one hour at a time in the water. - The relay rules barred the swimmers from touching the boat or any other objects. - The swimmers also had to stay at least 1.5 meters from the boat at all times. - Mariam Binladen said the group started with winds of about 17 to 18 knots, which later dropped to around six knots during the day and rose to nine knots at night. - Binladen said the water temperature ranged from 20°C down to 17°C. - Binladen said the one-hour rotation forced the team to maintain a fast pace throughout the swim. - Binladen said staying warm between turns was another challenge because of the wind and cold weather. - Binladen completed six months of intensive training ahead of the Dover-to-Calais attempt. - Binladen is the first Arab woman to swim the entire length of the River Thames. - Binladen has also completed ice glacier swimming in Austria and a swim from Saudi Arabia to Egypt. - Binladen was stung by a jellyfish during the crossing but continued to the finish.

Between the lines: - The anniversary framing gives the relay a symbolic dimension beyond the athletic challenge. - Binladen’s focus on children suggests the swim was designed as both a sporting achievement and a public message about safety and access. - The team’s makeup highlights the international reach of open-water endurance swimming. - Binladen’s background in multiple extreme swims reinforces the scale of the challenge and the experience required to finish it.

What’s next: - Binladen said she hopes the achievement inspires more children to learn to swim. - She said she wants the result to give children greater confidence and safety in the water. - Binladen’s work as a dentist, environmentalist and philanthropist connects the swim to her broader support for ocean conservation and women’s participation in sports.

The bottom line: - The relay was more than a crossing. It was a centenary tribute, a test of endurance and a call for stronger swimming skills among children.