Head Above Water (Conquering the English Channel)

Producer/Director

PART 1
It began as a personal goal for Lim Chee Kiong. Soon, three other friends were roped in to conquer what many call the Everest of open water swimming. On 21 July 2023, Lim and his friends Ng Chee Soon, Mark Tan, and Alvin Tam became the first Singaporean relay team to successfully swim across the English Channel. Ng even became the oldest Singaporean to have done so. The team took less than 12 hours to complete their feat, but preparations for their expedition started three years earlier in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. What did it take to train for the long and cold swim in tropical Singapore? How did they get ready themselves for swimming in the open waters in temperatures as low as 15 degrees Celsius?

PART 2

For over 11 hours, On the Red Dot followed the first Singapore relay team on their arduous journey as they battled the tides, the cold, and the waves to cross the English Channel. The fastest swimmer on the team faces his fear of the cold and doubts his ability to lead the relay. How did he overcome his fears? After the first leg of the relay, the oldest member of the team struggles physically and mentally. Is the 60-year-old swimmer likely to recover in time for his remaining legs? Find out what else they had to endure to conquer what is known as the Everest of open water swimming.