It all started with Bluetit 1 Channel Relay Swim Team, who took flight in June 2024, and you can have a read about their journey here! 

Then came Bluetit 2 in the summer of 2025. Then Bluetit 3 and 4 and 5 and 6!

As The Bluetits, we’ve been growing and learning more and more about how to facilitate Bluetits to swim the Channel, and it’s a journey we’re still going down! And it’s one that we love.

We’re currently looking at several future teams:

• One Team to attempt a crossing in August 2027
• Three Teams to attempt crossings in 2028

So far we’ve had lots of Expressions of Interest. If you haven't already and you’d like to submit your own Expression of Interest, please have a read through below for an idea of what being part of a Bluetit Channel Relay Team involves.

If you've already submitted an Expression of Interest, please also refresh yourselves on what the commitment would be, and formally apply below.

*Formal application deadline is 11:59pm on Sunday 15 November 2026. We aim to be back in touch with successful applicants by Friday 20 November 2026*

Please read the below to understand what some of the expectations are in place if you were to accept a spot on a Bluetit Channel Relay Team. 

The finer details will be confirmed and finalised in an Agreement you’re required to sign in order to accept your place on your team. You can find links to versions of these below, though they are subject to change.

COSTS & FUNDRAISING

There are a fair few costs involved in swimming the Channel: the boat and pilot, Association or Federation fees, insurance, medical, travel, accommodation, training weekends, support, and more.

Some of these costs are for fixed services: we assist in organising them by collecting in the money from each member and paying these on your behalf (such as the boat and pilot costs, registration fees).

Some of your other costs will also go towards the support you’ll receive during your journey. Throughout your preparation, and on your boat during your swim, you’ll have Makala Jones of Calm Seas Swimming (a Solo and Relay Channel Swimmer and Bluetit Director and Head Coach) guiding, supporting, and backing you all the way. Her direct experience is indispensable, and is part of what makes swimming in Bluetit Channel Relay Team worth it.

You can choose to either self-fund your place, fundraise, or a mixture of both.

WHAT THE BLUETITS HELP YOU WITH 

• Booking the boat for the Channel crossing
• Booking the accommodation for your allocated crossing window
• The Association or Federation registration
• An online group training session every month up until your allocated crossing window
• A training schedule
• Up to two training weekends for all team members, which includes boat hire for one of them
• A fundraising platform and guidance (if you choose to fundraise)
• Support with fundraising ideas if you believe you won’t reach your target amount

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

• The boat for the Channel crossing, plus for one of the training weekends
• The Channel Swimming Association (CSA) or Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation (CS&PF) registration costs
• Services provided from The Bluetits and Calm Seas Swimming (including admin help, support, training help, advice and guidance)

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

• Travel, accommodation, and food for the event window and the training weekends
• Personal insurance
• Cancellation insurance
• Medical fees

WHAT WE ASK OF YOU

• To be able to commit to a training schedule, the online sessions, and the costs involved
• To be an advocate for The Bluetits as an organisation and our values, and work with us to get you across the Channel
• To have a good team spirit
• Be up for a tough but worthwhile Team challenge!

Training

• Agree to stick to a training schedule (which we can provide)
• Attend the training weekends
• Attend online training and support sessions

Qualifier swim

• You’ll need to be able to organise and complete your own qualifier swim to be able to take part in the Channel Relay Swim. The requirements can differ, and will be confirmed to you, but an example is a two hour continuous swim in water under 15°C. This must take place before the allocated crossing window

Medicals, Insurance and Passport

• You’ll need a passport (valid for within 6 months of event window)
• You’ll need a full Medical
• You’ll need Events insurance cover
• You’ll need cancellation insurance (optional but highly recommended)

We're very lucky to have the opportunity to attempt to send another Bluetit Team across the Channel in 2027, along with Bluetit 5 & 6! As there's far less time to train and prepare for this one than usual, we're looking to put together a team of ready-to-go, flexible, committed swimmers, who are ready to jump into the ups and downs of Channel swimming!

As this has been a last minute addition, these are the current confirmed details, if you wish to apply to join the Team:

• The Event Window will be between 9th August and 15th August 2027.
• Cost is £2,000, which can be self-funded or fundraised for, or both.
• Initial deposit of £200 is required upon signing the Agreement
• We'll put on one Training Weekend prior to your Window (dates to be confirmed)
• You must already at be at the swimming and fitness ability to complete the Qualifier swim as per the CS&PF rules

We strongly encourage you to read through the CS&PF website to understand their rules and guidance for Channel Swimming, to understand if this is the right Team for you.

If you're interested in applying for this, please do so at the bottom of this page. On the application form you'll be able to state this is the Team you wish to join. 

We're also very lucky to be able to offer spots on three separate Teams in 2028! As there is more time to train for these Teams, we're open to applications from all. Here's the main confirmed details for the 2028 Teams:

• We have two Event Windows: 10 June to 21 June 2028 (for two of the Teams), and 8th October to 16th October 2028 (for one of the Teams).
• Two confirmed Training Weekends for all Teams: 8 October to 10 October 2027, location to be confirmed, but likely Pembrokeshire. Then 5 May to 8 May 2028 in Dover. This will include Pilot Boat practice and a night swim, subject to weather and safety decisions.
  
• Cost is £2,325, which can be self-funded or fundraised for, or both.
• Initial deposit of £225 is required upon signing the Agreement
• Quarterly Online sessions to start, changing to monthly in the 12 months prior to your Event Window.

Anyone offered a place on a Bluetit Channel Relay Team will need to read and agree to:

• our Core Terms (relevant to all Teams)
• your Team's specific Event Schedule (click for example of a 2028 Team Event Schedule) 

If offered a place on a Team, we'll provide you with finalised versions of the above, with the Event Schedule details specific to your Team. Signing both together will form the binding agreement.

Up for the challenge? So you've read the two documents in full for an idea of what you'd be signing up to, and would like to apply to join a Team? Here's your next steps:

• If you've already filled out our Expression of Interest Form letting us know why you'd like to join a Bluetit team, please go straight to filling out the 'Formal Application' below.

• If you'd like to be considered for a Team, but haven't previously expressed interest to us, please complete both the 'Expression of Interest' form and the 'Formal Application' form. *We won't be able to fully consider your application without both forms*

• If you'd like to be considered for a future Bluetit team, but can't commit to the requirements for the 2027 or 2028 Teams, please just fill out our 'Expression of Interest' form. We'll then keep you in the loop with details about future teams.

*Please note - If you apply as a group of six, we'll consider you as a whole team where possible. If you have less than six, or are applying as an individual, we'll consider placing you on a mixed team (with other individuals, or partial Teams). We encourage everyone to apply no matter their circumstances!*

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU! 

Bluetit HQ x