FROSTBURG — Frostburg State assistant swimming coach Jan Burton was recognized by the Channel Swimming and Piloting federation (CS & PF) as the oldest swimmer to complete a solo English Channel crossing in 2024.
Burton has spent the past seven years as a volunteer assistant with FSU’s swim teams, as began her swimming journey in 2011, taking laps in Bobcat Natatorium before sparking an interest in open water and marathon swimming.
In 2014, she completed her first swim at the National Harbor in Baltimore, as well as the Potomac River.
Throughout the next 10 years, her training and swimming journey took her to Dover in the United Kingdom to swim the English Channel, over 20 miles in direct length and an additional 10-20 miles dependent on pathing.
The Federation’s rules to swim require no external advantages, such as touching another person or holding on to an artificial flotation device may be used and the proper equipment of a swim suit (not wetsuit), cap, goggles, ear plugs, and nose clip, as well as a plain watch.
Having booked the trip in 2021, Jan had planned to make the attempt in mid-2024.
Her plans changed after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022.
Throughout her treatment and recovery, she was forced to take a break from marathon swimming, however continued to take laps and be in the water, as she put, to “feel normal again.”
After battling through the hardship, Burton went back to training in 2023, preparing for her feat.
On any potential fears or obstacles, she said “Yes. I am scared of sharks. I have never seen one while swimming. I’m more concerned about jet skis, boats and jellyfish. I spent some time dodging jellyfish and was luckily only stung once.”
With the possibility of not even being able to complete the swim due to changing sea levels and weather, Jan had hopes for the trip for mid-August.
On Aug. 14, she got her approval and set out on the water alongside Captain Robert Thompson with the boat Anastasia and observer Lorraine Mackie.
Beginning just before 5 a.m. and finishing just after 5 p.m., it took 12 hours and 32 minutes before she reached the shores of France to complete the milestone.
As part of tradition for successful swimmers, she was able to sign her name at the White Horse Pub in Dover, marking herself in history.
In total, Jan was one of 129 successful solo swims across the Channel.
At the CS & PF’s annual dinner and award ceremony, she received the Ray Scott Trophy for being the organization’s oldest swimmer to complete a solo Channel crossing during the 2024 season, an award she also credited to her mentor, Anthony, 11 years earlier.
As for her future swims, Jan hopes to complete the marathon swimming Triple Crown, consisting of the English Channel, Manhattan Island, and the Catalina Channel.
Burton now has the former two on her record, with plans to return to Catalina sometime in the near future. She also has interest in swimming the length of Lake Tahoe and Lake Ontario at some point.