This book is not overly long and makes for a fairly quick read, I got through it in a day but what a journey! The author takes us through a fairly remarkable childhood where, at the age if eight he can barely swim to, at the age of eleven, attempting to become the youngest ever person to swim the English Channel.

As well as being a very interesting read into Gegory's forays into open water swimming, there are some great atmospheric sections about the 80's, these are really evocative and place the tale in context.

As the adventure unfolds the yearning for simpler times shines through, the lack of health and safety buzzkill, the trust that people used to extend (how many people nowadays would allow their young child so much alone time with an older, single man?).

I really enjoyed this book and loved reading about the eccentricities of the open water swimmers and the sheer sense of adventure. A cracking little read.

Fantastic story of how 11 year old Tom "Tefal" swims the English Channel, from his early swimming lessons and first exposure to outdoor waters, through to the big event - alongside this an exploration of the closeness of his relationship with his coach. Not the greatest style, but that's not what this story is about - its adventure and wonder at such an achievement.