Tom Chapman is a Bristol Channel swimming pilot, Guinness World Record holder and founder of Monster Swims. After completing several Ironman triathlons, Tom swam the English Channel in 2019 before turning his attention to the Bristol Channel.
Firstly, there were no pilot companies set up for taking swimmers, secondly, there was no Association like the CSA or CSPF to help swimmers organise a swim, and thirdly, the Bristol Channel has the second largest tidal range in the world. The water moves INCREDIBLY fast in places and swimming across it is plain crazy!!!
Tom set about figuring out how to plot a track for a swimmer across that tide, finding boats that would aid him, and eventually founding the BCSA to help other swimmers in their quest. Over the next few years, Tom swam the Bristol Channel 6 times on four different routes, trying different tides, different tracks, finding what worked….and what didn’t! He has one of the very few successful Penarth-Weston swims, the first swim from Porthcawl to Devon and the first [successful] swim from Minehead to Lavernock.
In 2024, Epic Swim Co. was founded as a partnership between Tom Chapman and fellow lifeguard and channel swimmer Bryce Davies. In 2026, Monster became its own separate entity, working in close partnership with Epic to deliver the best channel swimming experience in the Bristol Channel.
Guinness World Record Holder & Bristol Channel Swimming Pilot
Tom Chapman, founder of Monster Swims and the Bristol Channel Swimming Association, is the official Guinness World Record holder for the most swim crossings of the Bristol Channel by an individual, having completed six solo crossings across four different routes between 2021 and 2023. Three of his swims were independently ratified by the Marathon Swimmers Federation, while all six crossings are documented on his Bristol Channel Swimming Association profile. Tom also completed a solo English Channel crossing in August 2019, officially recorded by the Channel Swimming & Piloting Federation. His swimming achievements have featured in BBC News, WalesOnline and BBC Radio Wales. His wider swimming experience is also documented by the World Open Water Swimming Association, while Mesothelioma UK published his personal account of swimming the English Channel to raise funds for the charity. Having experienced the challenges of marathon swimming first-hand, Tom now combines his knowledge of Bristol Channel tides, routes and conditions with professional escort boat operations to help other swimmers achieve their own Channel crossings.
Click the tracks and follow the links to the BCSA write ups of Tom’s past swims. Discover the Bristol Channel swimming routes supported by Monster Swims and find out how we can help you plan your crossing.
Clickable routes
Tom also holds qualifications for swim coach, beach lifeguard, and commercial skipper … so your swim is in good hands!