The English Channel is one of the world's most extraordinary pieces of water. For centuries, the Channel has been Britain's defence of water against invaders. It has also been to the Continent, a highway crowded with ships.

Sailors know it as perhaps the most dangerous sea channel in Europe. Half of all the world's ship collisions take place between the Western end of the Channel and the Baltic - and probably half of all the seasickness.

Several armies have crossed it by balloon, canoe, rowing boat, parachute water-skis, and swimming. The British seem to enjoy using unconventional methods of conquering the Channel, using everything from a car to a bed.

The Channel stretches 350 miles, from the Atlantic ocean to the North sea, separating England's south coast from France's north coast. On a clear day, you can see the white cliffs of Dover from the French coast. At its widest point it measures 120 miles; at its narrowest, only 21 miles. On a clear day, you can see the white cliffs of Dover from the French coast.

The English Channel presents a challenge even to the strongest swimmer. There is a strong tide running up the Channel from the south, and another coming down from the north. These two tidal movements meet near the mouth of the Thames River, creating such strong currents that it is impossible to swim in a straight line across the Channel. To escape the currents, swimmers must go around them either to the north or south; the distance is more than doubled by this manoeuvre.

The first man to succeed in swimming the Channel was Captain Webb, who landed in France 21 hours and 45 minutes after entering the water at Dover. Other attempts have also been successful, some in much less time.

It must be mentioned that the sea in the Channel is usually cold, and swimmers must cover their bodies with grease to protect their bodies. Hey are fed by men who accompany them in small boats. The Channel swimmer loses about seven kilograms of his weight during the swimming.

But swimming enthusiasts are not stopped by the difficulties. Their purpose is not only to cross the Channel, but to set a new record. And some of them are very successful.