Cold water swimming has been part of Maisie Spruyt’s life since her childhood – in fact, she says she was practically “brought up” at Allerthorpe Lake, near her home in Pocklington.

But the 20-year-old student and swim teacher has set herself a new challenge beyond a chilly dip: to swim a relay across the English Channel.

Ms Spruyt, who is studying for a degree in Adventure Sport Science at Bangor University, was approached to be part of the relay team by her former swim school boss, Debbie Adams.

The team will aim to swim the Channel later this year, an endurance feat of at least 21 miles in choppy seas.

Maisie Spruyt swimming the channel, is pictured at Allerthorpe Lakeland Park Pocklington Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon Hulme 23rd February 2026

placeholder image — Maisie Spruyt swimming the channel, is pictured at Allerthorpe Lakeland Park Pocklington Picture taken by Yorkshire Post Photographer Simon Hulme 23rd February 2026

Each swimmer will swim for an hour at a time, closely followed by a boat carrying their teammates.

Ms Spruyt said: “I told Debbie in a throwaway comment that I’d like to swim the Channel one day.

“And then about this time last year I got a message from her saying I’m getting a relay team together.

“And it’s just happened from there, it’s been amazing.”

The six-strong team have been given a window in June in which their swim will be attempted, tidal conditions permitting.

“We could be called at any point between the 3rd and 10th June,” Ms Spruyt explained. “So we have to make sure that we’re in Dover.

“We’ll be swimming next to the boat. You’re in the water for an hour and then out for five. We’ll all have a different role at each point, we’ll be in pairs to support the swim.

“We’ll be using front crawl. I’m really lucky in that I’m in North Wales for uni with loads of coastline so I’m trying to do as much training in the sea as possible.

“Even if it’s just a dip, it gets me used to the waves and trying to get used to not feeling seasick in the water. It’s hard, it’s the biggest challenge for lots of people.

“It doesn’t matter the speed you’re swimming, you just don’t want to swim backwards. You have to swim against the tide.”

Ms Spruyt has plenty of expertise she can call on if she’s struggling. Pateley Bridge’s Dot Wagstaff, who became the oldest woman to swim the Channel in a relay team last year aged 82, is a close family friend.

“I’ve known her my whole life,” said Ms Spruyt. “It’s so inspiring to see someone who hasn’t let her age stop her.”

The relay team will be swimming in aid of SwimTayka, which teaches children how to swim and stay safe. They work in places like Brazil, Peru, and Bali, providing free lessons to children.

“I learnt to swim when I was really little, and I think I took that for granted,” Ms Spruyt said. “The charity makes a huge difference in the lives they change.”

To sponsor the team, search for Maisie Spruyt Channel swim on JustGiving.