13/09/2025
Captain’s Report – Hong Kong Team 2025 English Channel Double Crossing
5-person 2-way relay
Start time: 5th September 2025 (Friday) at 9:15pm
Finish time: 6th September 2025 (Saturday) at 10:58pm
First leg: 13 hours 30 minute (UK to France) landed at Pointe de la Courte dune
Second leg: 12 hours 13 minutes (France to UK) finished at Samphire Hoe
Total time: 25 hours 43 minutes
Boat: Sea Satin
Pilots: Lance Oram & Tanya Harding
Official Observer: Emma Smith
Registration: Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation
From 26th August to 6th September 2025, our team of five Hong Kong swimmers undertook a once-in-a-lifetime challenge: to complete a two-way English Channel relay crossing, from Dover to Calais and back to Dover. This journey demanded not only physical endurance, but also patience, teamwork, and resilience in the face of unpredictable Channel weather.
We departed Hong Kong on 26th August, 2025 full of anticipation, only to face an 11-day wait in Dover as weather and tides were unsuitable. Each day we trained at the beach, keeping spirits high despite uncertainty. This waiting period tested our patience and unity as much as the swim itself.
The Swim
On 5th September at 9:15 PM (UK time), our window finally opened. In darkness, amid rough waters, we began our relay rotation. One by one, each swimmer took their turn in the following order:
* Eliza Chang (Captain)
* Melody Cheung
* Ringo Chan
* Alvin Tam
* Miu Tanaka
The swim started at night time. The outward legs to France were grueling — waves, cold water, seasickness, and the fear of night swimming challenged us deeply. Yet, each of us honoured our hour-long shift, supported by teammates’ cheers from the boat.
After landing at the French shore (Pointe de la Courte dune ), Alvin Tam turned immediately back, beginning the second leg without pause.
We swam through another turbulent day, and captain Eliza finally touching the UK shore at Samphire Hoe on 6th September at 10:48 PM, after 25 hours and 43 minutes, having covered about 110 km. We became the first Hong Kong relay team to achieve a two-way Channel crossing.
A very special note of thank goes to the legendary Patrice Chassery, who gave Alvin Tam the most unexpected and touching gift on the French shore. Patrice handed five pieces of shells, each signed with his name, to Alvin — a gesture that left our whole team amazed and deeply moved. What a wonderful surprise and what a meaningful souvenir from Calais! These little shells now carry a big story, reminding us of friendship across waters and the magic of this journey.
Merci, Patrice — your thoughtfulness will stay with the Hong Kong Team 2025 forever.
Teamwork & Sportsmanship
What made this achievement possible was not just strength, but team spirit. Each member battled personal struggles — exhaustion, seasickness, cramps, fear of darkness, Melody’s injured shoulder — but never gave up. We encouraged one another relentlessly, and when one faltered, the team carried the energy forward. This was the truest expression of Hong Kong’s resilience and unity.
First of all — my amazing teammates. Honestly, what a ride. You guys showed so much courage, grit, and heart out there. It wasn’t just about taking turns in the water, it was about lifting each other up when we were seasick, exhausted, or shivering in the dark. We laughed, we struggled, we cheered each other on, and we made it together. I couldn’t be prouder of this team.
To our families — you are the unsung heroes of this journey. Thank you for flying all the way to Dover, for waiting in the cold, for the sleepless night on the shore or on the boat, and for cheering louder than the waves. Your love carried us further than any current could.
And to our families back home in Hong Kong — we know how worried you were for our safety, and we felt every bit of your support as you followed our messages and live video updates. Your cheers across the miles reached us on the boat and gave us strength when we needed it most.
To our charity beneficiary Wheel for Oneness — especially the CEO Mr. Steve Lo, who came all the way from Hong Kong to be on the boat with us — wow. You didn’t just support us, you made sure our friends and community back home could share every moment through the live coverage. Knowing we were swimming for such a meaningful cause made every stroke worth it.
To Chen Tsz Kin and her mother Michelle for flying all the way from Hong Kong to UK to cheer for our team. And the volunteer helper Oscar who has assisted in taking care of Tsz Kin.
To Fenella Ng in Hong Kong, who has maintained close communication with the team all the way sending cheers and provided valuable insights and swimming advice to the team.
We are deeply grateful to pilots Lance Oram and Tanya Harding, Lance’s beautiful daughter, CSPF observer Emma Smith, and CSPF’s Kathy Batts for their guidance, professionalism, and support. Your care and dedication ensured our safety and success in this historic two-way crossing. Thank you for being part of our unforgettable journey.
We also want to recognize the incredible resilience of our two helpers on board (Kenneth and Steve), who began suffering from severe seasickness almost as soon as the boat set sail for the starting point. Even before our swim had officially begun, they were already battling constant vomiting in the rough sea conditions. It reminded us just how unforgiving the English Channel can be, not only for those in the water, but for everyone on the boat. Their quiet endurance, despite their own suffering, made our achievement feel all the more profound, because this journey truly tested the endurance of every single person involved. We also thank the presence of Alvin’s wife on board. Her presence, standing by her husband and the team, was a meaningful gesture of support.
And to every single donor and supporter — you turned this challenge into something far bigger than us. Your generosity and encouragement meant the world. Together, we’ve raised awareness and funds to make sports and life more inclusive for people with disabilities. That’s something truly worth celebrating.
And to all those who prayed for our safety and good weather — we felt your love across the miles. God answered those prayers in miraculous ways, blessing us with a safe passage across and back, and giving us the strength to see this challenge through. We swam with courage knowing we were lifted up by so many hearts and prayers.
Yes, we swam across the Channel and back — but this is about more than just a swim.
It’s about showing that age and background don’t matter when passion drives you. It’s about proving that sport is lifelong, retired athletes and master swimmers can still shine.
And it’s about carrying the Hong Kong spirit of perseverance and unity into the waves, showing the world that when we come together, the impossible becomes possible. This journey has been a testament to our hard work, dedication, and resilience.
If our story inspires even one more person to chase a bold dream, step outside their comfort zone, or believe in their own strength, then this whole journey was worth every single stroke.
As captain of the team, I am profoundly grateful for the trust, courage, and heart shown by this team. We trained together, suffered together, and triumphed together. This success belongs not only to us, but to everyone who believes in the power of dreams.
Here’s to the waves we made — and the ripples of inspiration we leave behind. ❤️
In faith go forward
Eliza Chang
Team Captain
Hong Kong Team 2025
English Channel Double Crossing Relay
隊長報告 – 香港隊 2025 英倫海峽雙程挑戰- 五人雙程游泳接力
開始時間：2025年9月5日（星期五）晚上9時15分
結束時間：2025年9月6日（星期六）晚上10時58分
第一程：13小時30分鐘（英國至法國），登陸地點：Pointe de la Courte dune
第二程：12小時13分鐘（法國至英國），完成地點：Samphire Hoe
總時間：25小時43分鐘
領航船隻：Sea Satin
領航員：Lance Oram & Tanya Harding
官方觀察員：Emma Smith
註冊機構: Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation
從2025年8月26日至9月6日，我們五名香港泳手展開了一次畢生難忘的挑戰：完成英倫海峽雙程接力橫渡，從多佛（Dover）到加來（Calais），再從加來折返多佛。這段旅程不僅考驗體能，更需要耐心、團隊合作，以及面對不可測的海峽天氣時的堅毅精神。
我們於8月26日從香港出發，滿懷期待抵達多佛，卻因天氣與潮汐不利，在當地等待了整整11天。期間每天都在海灘訓練，努力保持士氣。這段等待的日子，考驗着我們的耐性與團結，等待是煎熬的，幾乎與橫渡本身一樣艱難。
游泳過程
9月5日星期五晚上9時15分（英國時間），終於迎來合適的時機。在黑夜與波濤中，我們開始了接力。游泳順序如下：
* 鄭麗珊 Eliza（隊長）
* 張敏靈 Melody
* 陳志華 Ringo
* 譚家寶 Alvin
* 田中美羽 Miu
首程游向法國的過程極為艱苦 —— 巨浪、寒冷的海水、暈浪、以及在黑夜中游泳的恐懼，都一一襲來。然而，每位泳手都堅守崗位不斷努力向前游，彼此在船上互相打氣支持。
經過13小時30分之後，Alvin登陸法國加來Pointe de la Courte dune後，立即開始折返第二程。
第二程再度歷經波濤洶湧的一程，最後一棒由隊長Eliza負責，最終於9月6日晚上10時48分重返多佛Samphire Hoe 海岸。歷時總共25小時43分鐘，約110公里的泳程，我們成為香港首支完成雙程海峽接力橫渡的隊伍。
特別鳴謝 Patrice Chassery，在法國海岸給了我們一份驚喜。他將五片貝殼交給隊員Alvin，每片都簽上他的名字 —— 這份意想不到的心意令全隊倍感驚喜與感動。這些小小的貝殼，將成為象徵友誼與旅程奇蹟的珍貴紀念。Merci, Patrice —— 我們每一位泳員都接收了你的心意。
團隊合作與體育精神
這次成就的關鍵不僅是各泳員優秀的游泳技術，而是團隊精神。每位隊員都面對各自的掙扎 ，包括疲勞、暈浪、抽筋、黑暗的恐懼 ，但我們只管奮力向前游，環境惡劣的時候並沒有放棄，我們不怕艱辛，互相鼓勵，這正是香港精神 —— 韌性與團結 —— 的最佳體現。
首先，要向我的隊友致敬。真的太精彩了！你們展現了無比的勇氣、毅力與心力。我們彼此扶持、我們一起笑、一起撐、一起吶喊，最終一起完成這次夢幻的挑戰。我為這支隊伍感到無比自豪。
致陪伴我們的家人 —— 你們是這段旅程中真正的無名英雄。謝謝你們遠赴多佛，在寒冷中等待，在岸邊與船上度過不眠夜，不斷為我們打氣。你們的愛及支持時刻推動我們前行。
感謝香港的家人們 —— 我們知道你們不斷在擔心我們的安危，也透過訊息與直播全程關注。隔着千里，你們的問候及聲援傳到船上，讓我們在最艱難的時刻仍感受到力量。
感謝 Wheel for Oneness，尤其是行政總裁Steve Lo，特地從香港飛到英國與我們同舟同行，不僅支持我們，還安排直播，讓香港的朋友和社群能即時分享每一刻。能為這樣有意義的慈善計劃而游，每一下划水都變得更有意義。
感謝 陳梓𨫡及其母親Michelle，遠道而來為我們加油；感謝義工Oscar細心照顧梓峰𨫡。
感謝領航船長Lance Oram 與 Tanya Harding、Lance 的女兒、CSPF觀察員 Emma Smith，以及CSPF 的 Kathy Batts —— 有你們的專業領航與支持，我們才能獲取這次雙程挑戰的成功。
感謝香港的吳家樂Fenella Ng，感謝您與團隊保持密切聯繫，全程為我們打氣，並為團隊提供寶貴的資訊及建議。
特別要表揚船上兩位助手（Kenneth Ng和Steve Lo），在領航員船剛出發不久時就因船身劇烈搖晃而引起暈浪不斷嘔吐，動彈艱難，令大家可以想像當時枱中的情況有多惡劣。英倫海峽的大浪與海流，不僅挑戰泳手，也挑戰船上每一個人。我們同時感謝Alvin的太太在船上的陪伴和支持。
感謝每一位捐款人和支持者 ，你們讓這挑戰超越了運動本身。你們的慷慨捐款和不斷鼓勵對我們意義非凡。我們共同提高了公眾對傷健共融的關注，讓香港更多殘疾人士能平等參與生活與活動。
感謝所有為我們團隊祈禱的朋友，我們真切感受到你們的關愛。上帝奇妙地應允了所有禱告，賜予我們能夠獲得出發的機會並順利完成這次奇妙的挑戰。我們帶着無比勇氣跳入大海中，因為知道有無數心靈與禱告在背後托靠住我們。
是的，我們游過了英倫海峽，並且從法國折返英國， 但這不僅是一場海峽橫渡活動。
我們團隊希望告訴世界：年齡與任何處境均不是障礙，當我們努力追求夢想時，一切皆可能。運動是終身的，退役運動員與先進泳手仍能為香港發光發熱。這次奇妙旅程，我們展示了堅毅與團結的香港精神。
希望我們的故事能夠激勵各人勇敢追夢、走出舒適圈、相信自己的力量。
作為隊長，我真的很感謝各隊員及他們的家人對我的信任！我們一起把不可能變成可能！這份成功不只是我們的，還屬於所有相信夢想力量的人。
獻給我們掀起的浪花 ，讓我們留下的啟迪漣漪。
本信而進前
鄭麗珊
香港隊2025 隊長
英倫海峽雙程接力
鄭麗珊�香港隊2025 隊長�英倫海峽雙程接力
