Solo from England to France, 21 September 2009
Result · 10 hours 19 minutes, ratified by the CS&PF.
Departure and arrival · 01:41 from Abbot’s Cliff at the western end of Samphire Hoe. The register gives a 12:00 finish, and Sport Ireland places the landing at Cap Gris-Nez. The register does not specify a time zone.
Date discrepancy · Sport Ireland calls the swim a Sunday. The federation’s dated record and season table both give Monday 21 September.
Escort · Pilot Lance Oram, vessel Sea Satin, observer Irene Wakeham and trainer Jackie Power.
Record at the time · Youngest Irish solo swimmer, aged 16. Accounts differ on his national speed ranking.
How the record was checked
CS&PF individual record 444331
CS&PF 2009 season table
Sport Ireland’s contemporary report
Owen O’Keefe’s contemporary relay account
Irish Long Distance Swimming Association, class of 2020
Owen O’Keefe’s account of his swims
Crosóige Mara two-way relay, 13 July 2013
Team performance · Six-person relay from England to France and back in 20:29:00. The official team splits are 10:18:59 and 10:10:01.
Route and clocks · O’Keefe reports a 01:14 start at Abbot’s Cliff, a French landing south of Cap Gris-Nez and a finish at Shakespeare Beach. The reported start and official duration imply about 21:43. The finish clock is calculated.
Team members · Carol Cashell, Owen O’Keefe, Caitlin Desmond, Lynne Lynch, Maeve Ryan and Eoin O’Riordan.
Escort · Mike Oram piloted Gallivant. O’Keefe names the two CS&PF observers as Mike Ball and Jim Boucher.
How the record was checked
CS&PF 2013 relay results
Owen O’Keefe’s contemporary relay account
Owen O’Keefe’s account of his swims
