The Long Crawl to France

Every year, more and more people try to swim the English Channel.

Just over half succeed.

What drives people to brave jellyfish, vomiting and hypothermia?

According to Mike Oram, who spends his summers piloting an escort boat between Dover and Calais, "they're all deluded. They live in a world of dreams, and dreams aren't reality." 

Tragically a number of swimmers have died whilst making their attempts.

Jolyon Jenkins joins the dreamers at Dover Harbour, where veteran coach Freda Streeter has run a swimming school since 1982.

And he is on board Mike Oram's boat as one woman, Caroline Sims, makes her attempt. 

Presenter/Producer: Jolyon Jenkins

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2013.