Making waves for water safety – Marie’s English Channel success

We’re delighted to celebrate Marie Smith, Sensor Operator with our Special Missions team at Prestwick, who has successfully completed a relay swim across the English Channel in support of drowning-prevention charity SwimTayka.

Widely regarded as one of the most challenging open-water swims in the world, the crossing was the culmination of nine months of training, planning and preparation. Even before the team entered the water, they faced some big setbacks, including damage to their pilot boat just days before departure, creating uncertainty and threatening to close their carefully planned swim window.

When the team finally left Dover at midnight on 29 June, another challenge emerged as one swimmer was forced to withdraw due to severe seasickness. Adapting quickly, the remaining five swimmers continued, supporting one another throughout the crossing and overcoming everything the Channel could throw at them.

Among the toughest moments for Marie was swimming through an area densely populated with jellyfish in the Channel Separation Zone.

Reflecting on the experience, she said: “Standing on the back of the boat, being counted down from ten, and seeing the water full of jellyfish was genuinely terrifying. There was no way around them, only through them. The first twenty minutes felt endless, but once I settled into a rhythm, I focused on getting the job done.”

For Marie, the challenge was about more than endurance. Supporting SwimTayka, which provides free swimming lessons and drowning-prevention programmes to children in high-risk communities, closely aligns with her professional and personal commitment to water safety.

Looking back on the crossing, Marie reflected: “This challenge reinforced something I’ve learned again and again: when life feels overwhelming, you break it down, take a breath, and keep moving forward, even if that means swimming straight through the jellyfish.”

From navigating setbacks and uncertainty to reaching the shores of France, Marie and her teammates demonstrated exceptional determination, teamwork and courage.

Congratulations, Marie, on an incredible achievement and for raising awareness and support for such an important cause. 2Excel was happy to support Marie’s fundraising through its Community Fund.

There’s still time to support Marie

Marie is pictured, second from right