Bluetits 4 Channel Swim Relay Team 2026

27/06/2026

Well… that was wild!

So many thoughts, so many feelings, but the first thing I want to say is thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

From the beach BBQs, the bacon butties, the garden party, the raffles, the pool party, the mugs, the amazing craft stalls, the swimble sale, the movement and balance classes, and the donations that just kept flowing in – together we’ve raised a sizeable chunk for the Bluet**s. That means they can continue their incredible work on water safety, inspire and include future open water swimmers, and expand into even more Bluetittery events.

The second thank you is for all the support before and during the swim. From PTs, sport massages, swim teachers, family, friends and our flock. I have absolutely loved reading all your comments, and during the swim it honestly felt like you were all an extra member of the team. I could feel the love in every message. 😍

The third thank you is for my team. I am so proud of each and every one of you for all the hard work you’ve put in over the last year. At times it’s been damn difficult, but as I said before the swim, “We’ve worked bloody hard and we deserve to be here.” And conquer the Channel we did! Every single person put in one hell of a shift.

I particularly enjoyed the last few days decompressing together, talking non-stop about the swim, and through all that bonding, sharing our deepest secrets. The good news for everyone else is we’ll probably start talking about other things soon… maybe!

The day after the swim, Sian asked us, “What’s next?” For me personally, no more big challenges for a while. I have absolutely loved everything this journey has given me, but now it’s time to focus on my family.

That said, I feel incredibly passionate about giving back to the flock and to the Bluet**s. I’ll happily give whatever time I can to help you Bluet**s continue achieving your goals in the water and supporting the amazing community that we are all so lucky to be part of.

Once again, thank you all. None of this would have been possible without you. 💙

E x x x

26/06/2026

It’s taken me a few days to fully realise what we actually did.
Our English Channel relay swim with the Bluet**s 4 team is officially done and somehow we made it across in 16 hours and 1 minute. The water was beautiful at times, but Mother Nature clearly hadn’t got the memo that we were trying to have a nice day out and threw a few challenges at us along the way!
What got us there was teamwork! From the training, the support, the endless planning(spreadsheets!!), the encouragement when things felt tough, and then the actual swim itself. Everyone played their part and together we got it done.
When I signed up for this, my ‘why’ was to do something that would make people proud. Turns out the journey had other ideas and it was so much more. There were plenty of ups and downs, moments where I questioned my sanity, and moments where I absolutely loved every second of it.
I hope I did make a few people proud, I know I’m very proud of the whole team and I think I’ve come away believing in myself a little bit more too.
I’m still remembering random bits of those 16 hours 1 minute, reliving different parts of it and sharing with the team the memories. It all feels a bit surreal.
Huge thanks to everyone who supported us, followed our progress, sent messages, donated, trained with us, or listened to me talk about the Channel for what probably felt like forever.
Anyway, that's one ridiculous challenge ticked off the list and weirdly I'm starting to think about what's next …please someone get me some help !!!!😂🌊🏊‍♀️
Poole and Bournemouth Bluet**s
The Bluet**s Chill Swimmers
Bluet**s 4 Channel Swim Relay Team 2026

Six ordinary women. One extraordinary challenge. In June 2026, we’ll be brav… Blue T**s 4 needs your support for Channel Swim - Bluet**s 4 relay team

26/06/2026

It’s taken a while for me to process how I feel about the channel swim and everything that came before and after it regarding the challenge. The challenge for me was to keep improving my fitness and get some structure, purpose and confidence after my battle with breast cancer, retiring from my business and moving to a new location. My confidence in my brain and body were at an all time low after chemotherapy, mastectomy and chemical menopause. I joined the bluet**s originally to hopefully make friends and enjoy swimming. I hadn’t really swam properly since the birth of my daughter but quickly fell back in love with the peace of the water. I’d always been a pool swimmer due to my terror of anything living in the sea!!
I now know that though still terrified of seaweed, jellyfish, all living creatures in the sea that it’s still where I want to spend my time. I’ve made so many friends within the Poole and Bournemouth Bluetit and other Bluetit communities and regained some confidence in myself. My fitness is the best it’s been in years.
I shall be forever grateful for the opportunity the bluet**s gave me to swim the channel as part of a relay and to my teammates who have given me so much faith in friendships that I thought I would never feel again. The time shared on the boat and in our shared accommodation after we conquered the channel has meant so much to me and I shall treasure the memories and friendships forever.
I will continue to push myself and try new challenges knowing that I am capable and deserving.
Thank you to everyone who supported me and the team; you will never know how much that support meant and enabled me in my moments of doubt and terror. Forever thankful and grateful to you all 🥰

22/06/2026

I can’t quite find the words… exhausted, exhilarated, overwhelmed — and honestly, it still hasn’t sunk in.

We are officially successful English Channel relay swimmers! 🌊🏊‍♀️

The Channel threw absolutely everything at us, but we got there. Huge thanks to the incredible crew of Viking Princess II, whose skill, experience and calm heads guided us through some seriously choppy waters and got us safely to France.

It’s going to take a few days for this achievement to truly sink in, but right now I’m just so proud of my amazing teammates and everything we achieved together. What an adventure.

There are so many people to thank who helped make this possible. From Bluetit sisters and brothers, my swim coaches through to my friends and family who so selflessly supported my training, listened to endless swim talk, and cheered me on every step (and stroke!) of the way — thank you.

It’s been a huge privilege, an epic journey, and an experience I’ll never forget.

Now... what’s the next adventure? 💙🌊

….and as always it will involve the Bluetit Flock

PS. We were joined by 3 seals 🦭 and a dolphin 🐬 on the journey……plus more than a few jellyfish 🪼

PPS. Thank you to our sisters from Milton Keynes (Bluet**s 3 Channel Swim Relay Team 2026) who sent personal messages of support and despite their own recent disappointment, spurred us on and continue to inspire us ❤️💙💛 Your turn will come and we will be rooting for you with every stroke ❤️💛💙💪💪🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️

Love Theresa ###x

22/06/2026

The morning after the day before….

21/06/2026

Headed out to sea 💙💛❤️

20/06/2026

Exciting news ….Bluet**s 4 Channel Swim Relay Team 2026 have had the green light to go ahead tomorrow morning at around 03.30 …we are so lucky to be going on the Solstice and now to take care of the final pack !!!! Please follow us and track our boat, join the chat for updates, take part in the sweepstake to guess our time and most of all wish us luck 💙💛❤️

https://www.channelswimmingassociation.com/pilots/viking-princess-ii

https://gofund.me/581cc2ebe

https://chat.whatsapp.com/JXJxNpWUXpZ4ba7Axb5law

19/06/2026

Three little t**s on their way to Dover 🎉🎉❤️💛💙❤️💛💙❤️💛❤️💙❤️💛💙❤️💛💙
Can’t wait to join the other three 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️

16/06/2026

Thank you to The Saltwater Sauna for giving a sauna prize at the Bluet**s Cold Water Party. Tiff who was the lucky winner kindly shared her prize with the Alum Chine Crew (it was also Sue’s birthday hence the special Bluetit cupcakes!)

It was also a lovely way for Sally and I to have our last flock swim before we head to Dover on Friday (eeek)

E x

To book your own Sauna Session:
https://www.thesaltwatersauna.com/

To follow our progress on WhatsApp:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/JXJxNpWUXpZ4ba7Axb5law

Any donations gratefully received:
https://gofund.me/db114f8b7

15/06/2026

Yesterday was a good day on the water for three of the team (missed you Estelle Bentall-Lynch and Sally Edwards). Another boat day meant more chances to practise the swim start, work on overtakes, and get comfortable with deep water, ferry wash and the chop that makes the Channel such a unique challenge.

Now we’re just four days away from our window opening. Excitement and trepidation are building, but we’re ready. Time to embrace the whole experience — including the famous Dovercoaster.

The only question left: will the sea let us swim?

Watch this space… 🌊🏊‍♂️⛴️

Thank you to Paul and Seb Flavell for looking after us. Thank you to Tracey Blake for keeping us smiling - we particularly liked our SBS exit from the boat 🚤 🤣🤣

https://gofund.me/6feacf373