Following a meeting between the Channel Swimming Association, Channel Crossing Association, Channel Swimming Pilotage Federation, Channel Swimming & Pilotage Services and Coastguards from France and the UK it has been agreed by all that the swim season will from now on be between 1st April and 31st October each year.
This is first and foremost to protect the safety and welfare of the swimmers and support craft involved. Swims outside of this period will not be accepted on the grounds of safety.
Jean-Luc from Belgium swam solo across the Channel in 2013. For those of you currently undergoing your training at the moment, you may find this article interesting as it is from his own personal prospective:
http://www.channelswimmingassociation.com/docs/jean-luc-piens-personal-channel-experience.pdf
