A trio of swimmers last night set off on an epic 42-mile challenge in a bid to become the first people to complete a three-part relay swim from Jersey to France, back to Jersey… and then back to France again… battling jellyfish along the way.

Paul Harris, Sean Collins and Nichola Murch set off from La Coupe at around 22:00 last night.

Each team member is taking on a two-hour swim shift, before resting on the escort boat for four hours.

The attempt is expected to take at least 24 hours in total.

Speaking to Express this afternoon after having completed three rotations of the relay cycle, Mr Harris said the swim was “going well so far” despite some jellyfish stings.

“It’s got a little breezy in the last four hours which is a bit more difficult, but it’s good that the sun’s out,” he said.

The swimmer said that, during the four-hour rest breaks, the two team members not in the water were “refuelling and watching fellow swimmers, just offering support”.

Paul and Sean completed a two-leg long-distance relay swim from Jersey to France and back in 2023, but the trio is hoping to become the first to complete a three-way relay swim between Jersey and France.

Paul said: “The reason for doing a three-person three-way relay is that it’s never been done before.

“So, when we complete it in a few hours, we’ll be the first team in history to have done so.”

Paul, Sean and Nicola – who are from Hastings, Bexhill-On-Sea and Romford respectively – met through swimming.

Although none of the trio are from the island, they have all visited before for work, holidays, or other swimming challenges.

Paul added that Jersey residents had been very welcoming and supportive of the challenge.

“We don’t generally go around telling everyone what we’re doing,” he added.

“We just get on with what we want to do. We don’t generally do it for the approval of other people, we just like taking on challenges.”

Dental company owner Paul explained that the team is raising money for charities Dentaid, the Dentinal Tubules Foundation, and the BDA Benevolent Fund.

Dentaid provides dental care to those experiencing homelessness, abuse, poverty and harm, the Dentinal Tubules Foundation builds and equips schools and libraries in less developed countries, and the BDA Benevolent Fund helps dentists, dental students and their families in hardship with financial assistance and wellbeing support.

DONATE…

You can donate to support the team HERE.