Reflecting on the legacy of Captain Matthew Webb's cross-Channel swim

The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 21, 2026, 8:06 PM

Last updated Aug 21, 2026

Reflecting on the legacy of Captain Matthew Webb's cross-Channel swim

Summary

On August 21, 2026, Emma John explores the impact of Captain Matthew Webb, who was the first to swim across the English Channel. In a communal lecture, participants engaged in chanting 'Pull. Breathe. Kick. Glide' to celebrate the event's historical significance. This activity highlighted how swimming achievements remain relevant and inspiring even after more than 150 years. Webb's feat offers insights into the evolving perception of sports as both entertainment and inspiration.

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The Guardian Sport

Key Details

•Emma John reflects on Captain Matthew Webb's cross-Channel swim.
•Participants engaged in a communal chanting activity at the lecture.
•The event marks over 150 years since Webb's historic swim.
•Webb's journey is celebrated as a significant sporting achievement.

Latest Updates

8:06 PMThe Guardian Sport — Pull. Breathe. Kick. Glide … the cautionary tale of the first cross-Channel swimmer | Emma John

What they're saying

"
In this content-driven age, we consume sport as fleeting entertainment – but the fate of Captain Matthew Webb suggests we always have Pull. Breathe. Kick. Glide. Three decades since my last swimming lesson, I found myself sitting in a lecture theatre chanting these words with a few dozen strangers, all of us trying not to take anyone’s eye out as we matched them to the actions. Pull. Breathe. Kick. Glide. I’ve been to enough Edinburgh fringe shows to inure myself to the embarrassment of audience participation. And, to be honest, this one was a pretty euphoric communal experience. It turns out you don’t need to be near water to marvel at a swimming feat, especially one that’s more than 150 years old. Continue reading...
— The Guardian Sportby Emma John

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