1. Ethel "Sunny" Lowry MBE was credited with becoming the first British woman to swim the English Channel in 1933, Although Mercedes Gleitze was actually the first British woman to swim the channel, in 1927.
11 Facts About Sunny Lowry
1. 2.
Sunny Lowry was developing an aptitude for long-distance swimming and used to train with her sister at Levenshulme baths so that she could attempt distance swimming competitions in Windermere.
3.
Sunny Lowry practised distance swimming in the sea at her parents' holiday home in Rhos-on-Sea in North Wales.
4.
Sunny Lowry's father, noticing her increasing talent for distance swimming in the sea suggested that she train for her ambition to swim the Channel.
5.
Sunny Lowry did this by choosing Westgate on Sea near Margate in Kent as an appropriate venue.
6.
Sunny Lowry trained for 3 or 4 hours a day in the buildup to her first attempt.
7.
On 27 July 1933, Sunny Lowry attempted the swim again only this time choosing to let the current help her instead of hindering her.
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Mercedes Gleitze 8.
Sunny Lowry had a reputation for strong-mindedness, which was demonstrated by her eschewing the traditional heavy wool one-piece swimsuit in favour of a, at the time very daring, lighter two-piece suit.
9.
Sunny Lowry is one of only five British women to have ever successfully swum the Channel.
10.
In July 2003, at the age of 92, Sunny Lowry was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Association's Hall of Fame.
11.
Sunny Lowry died at the age of 97 on 21 February 2008 at Warrington Hospital.