**South African Teen Sets English Channel Record**
Eighteen-year-old Amber-Rose Berry has etched her name in the annals of sports history by becoming the youngest South African woman to swim the English Channel. On August 23, Berry completed the challenging 33-kilometer open-water crossing from England to France in an unofficial time of 10 hours and 27 minutes. This remarkable achievement is pending ratification, but if confirmed, it would place her significantly ahead of the average completion time of 12 to 14 hours for this demanding swim.
Berry commenced her journey from Shakespeare Beach in Dover at 5:27 AM, ultimately reaching the rocky shores of Pointe du Riden near Cap Gris-Nez in France at 3:54 PM. The swim was fraught with challenges, including painful jellyfish stings, strong currents, and the cold waters of the Channel, as well as the wake of a passing ship that added to the difficulty of her crossing.
Reflecting on her experience, Berry remarked, “That was bloody tough. But I was motivated by the opportunity I was given to complete this swim. And by the fact that, by finishing, so many opportunities would be afforded to student-athletes like myself.” Her determination and resilience were evident throughout the swim, particularly during a tough moment just beyond the halfway point, where fatigue and cold threatened her progress. Berry's mother, Karen, who accompanied her on the escort vessel Sea Leopard, noted that her daughter found renewed energy when battling the wake of a passing ship.
In preparation for this monumental swim, Berry trained for months under the guidance of open-water swimming coach Clinton le Seuer. Throughout the crossing, she adhered to a strict feeding schedule, consuming liquid nutrition every hour for the first two hours and then every 30 minutes thereafter.
This latest accomplishment adds to Berry's impressive swimming resume. At just 16, she became the youngest person to complete the 33-kilometer False Bay crossing in Cape Town, finishing the swim solo in 9 hours and 40 minutes, and she did so without a wetsuit, wearing only a swimming costume and cap.
Berry's achievement carries additional historical significance, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gertrude Ederle's groundbreaking swim as the first woman to cross the English Channel in 1926. Furthermore, her swim aligns with South Africa's Women’s Month, which commemorates the historic 1956 Women’s March against the Pass Laws, highlighting the importance of women's achievements in the country.
In addition to her personal milestones, Berry's swim aimed to raise funds for student-athletes. More than $7,000 has already been raised through a campaign supporting the Ukukhula Institute in Makhanda, which seeks to provide scholarships for disadvantaged student-athletes from Eastern Cape high schools to attend Rhodes University. The initiative embodies the message, “Believe in What You Can Achieve,” reflecting Berry’s own journey from preparation to her successful crossing of the English Channel.
Berry follows in the footsteps of another notable South African swimmer, Otto Thaning, who, at the age of 73, became the oldest person to complete the English Channel crossing in 2014. His record remains unbroken.
As the news of her achievement spreads, congratulations continue to pour in for Amber-Rose Berry, who has not only set a record but also inspired many with her dedication and commitment to both her sport and her community.