Jersey France Challenge

Saturday 2nd August 2025

Following on from last years successful Jersey to France swim challenge, organisers are delighted to announce that the challenge will return in 2025.

About the race

Our continued thanks extend to challenge founder Simon O’Donoghue and our key partners; Spring, Dickinson Gleeson, Axal Leine Recruitment, 3D Events and VisionaryGrid Studio. We would also like to thank all our previous participants for their continued support and we look forward to welcoming you all back in 2025.

The Jersey France Challenge is a 14 mile challenge and will be open to teams of 2-6 people, each competing head to head to be the first team to cross the finish line.

The challenge will begin from the shores of Jersey (Fliquet Bay) and one team member will dive straight into the sea to start the swim relay challenge. The 14 mile swim will take teams to the beach north of Carteret Marina this year for added challenge (subject to all final permissions and government event guidelines).

On completion of the challenge, there will be a fun prize giving with some food and drink to celebrate the achievements of the day. Hot food will be on offer to competitors and skippers at the end of the day. Everyone is welcome and so feel free to invite you friends and family to join us for the celebrations, just remember to book a ticket on the Race Nation registration system.

Teams are also invited to stay overnight in Carteret to celebrate their achievements with the organisers and other teams. More information on this area and how to book will follow in due course.

We are pleased to confirm that we will again raise valuable funds for Dementia Jersey and with your help, we want to raise even more funds in 2025.

Please help us raise valuable funds by donating to Dementia Jersey on our event fund-raising link.

Race date

Saturday 2nd August 2025
A small boat in the middle of a large body of water

FAQs

I need a team, what do I do?

Secure your team place by registering with your details only and selecting ‘I will invite my team members later’ then email the organisers on enquiries@3d-events.co.uk with the rest of your teams email address and they will invite your team members to register their personal details and accept the events terms and conditions.

What is the accommodation ticket?

Located 2.7km from the Carteret Port is Salle des Sports which is a Gymnasium for use for challengers to sleep in. Please see the address below for reference.

3 Rue Pierre de Coubertin, 50270 Barneville-Carteret, France.

This option offers very basic accommodation and challengers will be required to bring their own sleeping mat and a sleeping bag. Please note, breakfast is not included.

Tickets cost £10.00.

When does the race start?

The challenge will start at 06:00 from La Coupe, Fliquet Bay, Jersey.Boat Skippers + Teams must meet in the bay no later than 05:30. On race morning at approximately 04:45, team captains will be asked notify Race HQ that their team are on schedule for the meet at 05:30 ahead of the challenge start at 06:00.

When does the race finish?

On arrival in Fliquet Bay, boats are permitted to drop their first swimmer on the beach at La Coupe and then must move off and will be lined up 300 yards off the shore of Fliquet Bay.

The first swimmer will get in the water and start swimming when they hear the start horn, swim teams will then rotate every hour until they reach the north shores of Carteret, France (subject to all final permissions and government event guidelines). The swimmer in the water at the time will swim ashore and run through the finish flags which will be visible on the beach.

How do the relay swimming legs work?

Two, three, four, five and six swimmers can make up a swimming relay team. Each swimmer is recommended to swim for 1 hour before rotating with a team member, but it is entirely up to each team if they wish to rotate more often, but there must be a minimum swim duration of 30 minutes per team member. Depending on team size, some swimmers will swim once and some twice.

Should you need additional swimmers or wish to join a team then we can help, just let us know and we will support you to find a team/swimmer.

Is there a safety boat?

Each swim team is responsible for providing their own safety boat which will be required to stay with the team throughout the entire challenge. We kindly ask you to liaise on your safety boat with our swim co-ordinator Simon O’Donoghue prior to the event, you can email him on simon@spring-im.com

How far is the race?

The swim relay is controlled by times and not distance, each swimmer will swim for 30-60 minutes before rotating to the next team member. Co-Ordinates will be provided to Boat Skippers and Team Captains ahead of the Race briefing. It is then down to your Boat Skipper to interpret these hourly way points are plan the winning route for your team.

Can I get a race pack?

The Jersey France Challenge 2024 information pack includes all the essential race day information including timings, kit requirements, what to expect on race day and essential guidance on race safety.

Please click here to access this and ensure you read this carefully ahead of the race, we will issue a revised race information pack for the 2024 event in due course.

Is there a kit list?

There is! Please note the below will not be provided by the organisers and so it is the challenger’s responsibility to bring on the day.For any additional swim questions, contact Simon O’Donoghue – simon@spring-im.com

  • Plenty of Food & Drink (Jelly Babies, Hot drinks in a flask are great)
  • Fully Charged Mobile phone (For Tracking) with the Race Nation App downloaded and logged in.
  • Spare mobile phone or charger in case your phone battery runs out.
  • Appropriate clothing for weather conditions (bring blankets and warm clothing for finish)
  • Towel x2
  • Sun cream and other on-water protection from the sun/wind/rain!
  • Vaseline or Anti Chaff cream
  • Anti-mist google spray
  • Please note that there will be no toilet facilities on the boats (be prepared to use natural facilities (sea) or bring a bucket.

Key Information

Swim assessments

Simon O’Donoghue will be conducting a preliminary swim at St. Catherines before the race. This is not compulsory but is advised to meet other team members, challengers and to ensure you are comfortable with the distance.

  • You may be asked to submit a swim medical form and organisers will contact you if this is required.
  • All swimmers will be sent a swim fact sheet with all the information they need. 
  • We once again plan to offer a range of Jersey France event branded merchandise this year and will confirm once this has been approved and is ready for sale.
A boat in the water with the sun setting in the background
A group of people riding on the back of a white boat

Key Information

what to do on RACE DAY

  • 04:45 All boats must be on en-route to Fliquet Bay, Jersey. All boats must be moored on the shore of Fliquet Bay (please refer to info pack to view the course map).
  • 05:30 First swimmers lined up on the beach at La Coupe and ready for challenge start!
  • 06:00 SWIM CHALLENGE START!
  • 13:30 Expected first team at the finish in Carteret, France. (Actual finish is just north of Carteret Marina)
  • 15:30 Expected time for last teams to be finishing. Post-event food & drinks to be held at the Centre Euguene Youth Hostel!
  • 17:00 Prize Giving at the Yacht Club

The shiny prizes

Don’t worry, there will be something to take home! A prize will be awarded to the following winners of each of our categories.

A man swimming in the ocean under a cloudy sky

Winning Team to land  (without a wetsuit)

A prize will be awarded to all swimmers and skipper in the team.

A group of people on a boat in the water

Winning Team to land  (with a wetsuit)

A prize will be awarded to all swimmers and skipper in the team.

A man on a boat in the water

Winning Team for extra points

A prize will be awarded to all swimmers and skipper in the team.

A person riding a boat on top of a body of water

Winning Team for the most fundraising

A prize will be awarded to all swimmers and skipper in the team.