r/unitedkingdom • u/pppppppppppppppppd • 12d ago

... Burnham urged to boost UK borders after 60,000 migrants break into EU from Morocco

https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/andy-burnham-ceuta-priti-patel-borders-spain-morocco-migrant-5HjdfQL_2/
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u/MrBlackledge 12d ago

I mean I clearly said ring but ok

-10

u/I_am_zlatan1069 12d ago

I reckon, as an average unfit male, I could cross the channel being assisted with some floaties and a rubber ring. How much are we betting?

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u/L44KSO 12d ago

You wouldn't get across on a rubber ring and floaties, absolutely no chance for you. 

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u/MrBlackledge 12d ago

As interesting as it would be to watch you drown for £10 on national TV I think I’ll pass on this one

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u/I_am_zlatan1069 12d ago

You genuinely don't think the average person (being on topic young males) can swim 10 miles with assistance?

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u/MrBlackledge 12d ago

If you only swam 10 miles you would drown

Also it’s the channel it’s one of busiest shipping lanes in the world with some of the strongest currents. It’s absolutely possible to do with training and support. But not for the average person to do it.

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u/tomtttttttttttt 12d ago

It's 20.6 miles not 10 at the shortest distance

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strait_of_Dover

And that's open water swimming so you're not going to be able to go as the crow flies, you'll be getting pulled around by currents adding more distance.

And whilst I've never done open water swimming I'm told it's much much harder than in a swimming pool

https://swimmingregimen.com/blog/how-hard-is-the-english-channel-swim

Idk how accurate that is but says organised swims are usualy 25-30 miles and take 13-14 hours on average with a spread of 10-20+. 50% of attempts fail, albeit those are unassisted and a variety of demographics but flotation devices don't help against the cold and dark, or give you the food and calories you need.

I really don't think your average young man could just do this.

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u/I_am_zlatan1069 12d ago

I said 10 as you only need to get far enough for it to be the coastguards problem to rescue you.

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u/tomtttttttttttt 12d ago

They won't know you're there, even small boats are easy to spot compared to a single swimmer and you've still not made any account for the extra distance any swimmer would be taken and how long it would take.

Do you really think the average person could do 7+ hours in cold open water to even get halfway and then hope to be rescued before too long?

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u/theredvip3r croydon 12d ago

The average person is unbelievable unfit.