Join the Port of Dover, Dover District Council and Town Council, for a fantastic day of family activities and entertainment to mark Captain Webb’s milestone Channel swim, which saw him become the first person to successfully swim the English Channel un-aided on 24^th August 1875.

Captain Webb’s accomplishment set a pathway for an inspiring future of Channel swimming, which today has seen over 4,000 successfully completed missions. The event highlights Dover’s rich heritage and place in British maritime history.

Diederik Smet, Placemaking, Events and Partnerships Manager at the Port of Dover said:

“Dover has played a major role in the history of sea swimming, with the White Cliffs and Dover Castle providing the perfect motivational starting point for thousands of challenges over the years.

“As the Waterfront and Harbour have developed over the decades, leisure and sports opportunities have continued to grow. We are delighted to be home to some brilliant swimming and sports organisations today, which empower many generations to follow in the footsteps of icons like Captain Webb.”

The full schedule of the day (Monday 25th August), featuring the anniversary’s official open water swim, is:

• 10am -2pm:  Future Foundry workshop and storytelling on the Marina Curve.

• 11am: * Swimming event registration opens at Dover Sea Sports Centre 

• 12pm:  Junior and novice swim event – 660m 

• 1pm:  Senior swim event - 1.9km

• 2.30pm:  Captain Webb people’s procession from the memorial to the Marina Curve, with band Fat Brass 

• 3pm: Prize giving and speeches 

• 3.30pm: Fat Brass headline set on the Marina Curve, with live music continuing until 6pm.

The event is funded by the Port of Dover, Dover District Council and Dover Town Council, and organised in partnership with Future Foundry, Dover Life Guard Club, Channel Swimming Association (CSA) and Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF).

ENDS

Notes to editors

• The Port of Dover is closing the gap every day between the UK and the world by connecting trade, travel, visitors and communities locally-globally, collaborating with local and international partners to create a more seamless, sustainable and tech-enabled port.
• As the UK’s busiest international ferry port and a vital gateway for the movement of people and trade, Dover handles £144 billion of trade per year, 33% of UK trade in goods with the EU and welcomes over 11 million passengers.
• Dover is an award-winning cruise port, delivering world class travel and visitor experiences to over 20 different cruise lines each year. With a growing and diversifying cargo business operating from state-of-the-art facilities, a new marina which is at the centre of the revived waterfront, plus opportunities for further expansion in the future, Dover’s proud history dating back 400 years has a new modern twist.