In a remarkable feat of endurance, teamwork, and determination, Abhinav Gopal, IAS, Chief Development Officer (CDO) of Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (2020 Batch), became one of the first serving Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, along with IAS Deepak Karwa, IAS, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kaithal, to successfully complete a relay swim across the English Channel. Certified by the Channel Swimming Association (CSA), his achievement stands as a historic milestone for Indian civil servants and open-water swimming in India.
A LIFELONG DREAM TAKES SHAPE
For Abhinav Gopal, the English Channel was a childhood aspiration. A competitive swimmer through his school years, he competed in state-level meets and represented his school at CBSE nationals until class 12. The Channel, often called the “Mount Everest of open-water swimming,” held a special place in his imagination. “It’s the kind of challenge that was always in my mind since childhood,” Mr Gopal shared with Indian Masterminds. “I knew I’d attempt it someday when I had the time and stability.”
The opportunity materialised in 2022 when Mr Gopal’s batchmate connected him with a swimming coach from Haryana who proposed forming a relay team for 2025. Despite the three-year waiting list for Channel swim slots, the relay format made the challenge feasible. “When my batchmate asked if I wanted to join, I thought, three years is enough time to prepare. We can do this,” Mr Gopal recalls. The relay, where each swimmer takes one-hour shifts, allowed him to balance his demanding role as an IAS officer with the rigorous preparation required.
CONFRONTING THE CHANNEL’S CHALLENGES
The English Channel is a formidable adversary. The 33-kilometre stretch from Dover, England, to Cap Gris-Nez, France, is notorious for its cold waters (14–15°C), unpredictable currents, tides, and waves. Swimmers must also contend with marine life and the psychological toll of swimming in an endless expanse of blue, with only a guide boat for orientation. “You can’t see anything beneath the water, just blue,” Mr Gopal explains. “The vastness and uncertainty can weigh on you mentally if you’re not prepared.”
Mr Gopal swam two one-hour legs, covering approximately 9–9.5 kilometres in total. The cold water was his greatest hurdle. “For me, the cold was the toughest part,” he says. “Even in training, an hour or two in icy water was hard to endure.” The relay team’s success hinged on mental and physical preparation to withstand these conditions while maintaining focus in the open sea.
TRAINING FOR THE EXTREME
Preparing for the Channel demanded a tailored regimen. Mr Gopal’s competitive swimming background gave him a strong foundation, but the Channel’s unique conditions required additional effort. “Normal swimming practice is part of it, but you have to get used to cold water,” he notes. In India, where naturally cold water is rare outside the Himalayas, he trained by sitting in a tub filled with ice and water at 12–13°C, starting with five-minute sessions and building up to an hour. This acclimatisation was critical to enduring the Channel’s frigid temperatures.
Balancing training with his role as CDO of Ghaziabad required discipline. “I’d swim two or three days a week for an hour, which was enough because of my swimming base,” Mr Gopal told Indian Masterminds. This schedule not only prepared him physically but also brought structure to his life. “Having a target like this forces you to manage your time. You work five hours, then make time for training. It keeps you sharp,” he adds.
LOGISTICS AND TEAM COORDINATION
Organising an English Channel swim is a logistical marathon. The CSA oversees the process, assigning pilots and observers to guide swimmers through the treacherous waters. Mr Gopal’s team travelled from India to London, then to Dover, where the swim begins. The cost of the boat, pilot, and observer—approximately ₹4,00,000, shared among the team—was a significant investment. “You can’t just show up and swim,” the officer explains. “The CSA manages everything, from pilots to safety protocols.”
The relay format was a practical choice for Mr Gopal, given his professional commitments. “A solo swim requires 45 hours of weekly practice, which means quitting your job,” he says. “A relay lets you experience the Channel while managing other responsibilities.” His six-member team, drawn from across India, exemplified unity and collaboration.
On June 18, 2025, Mr Gopal’s six-member relay team, with members from diverse regions of India, completed the 33-kilometre crossing in a record-breaking 11 hours and 19 minutes, making them the fastest Indian six-member relay team to date. As of July 2025, their time ranks among the top relay times of the year, briefly holding the title as the fastest overall until surpassed two days later.
A PURPOSE BEYOND THE SWIM
For Mr Gopal, the swim was more than a personal challenge; it was a way to stay active and balanced amidst a demanding career. “This isn’t about accolades or recognition,” he says. “It’s about having a target to keep myself fit and mentally healthy. When you’re physically active, you perform better at work.” The discipline required for training instilled a sense of purpose and structure, countering the exhaustion of professional life.
Compared to his Ironman triathlon the previous year, IAS Gopal found the Channel more challenging due to the cold water. “The Ironman required more intense preparation, but the Channel’s cold was tougher for me personally,” he reflects. The relay format, however, made it manageable, allowing him to contribute to a team effort without sacrificing his career.
IAS DEEPAK KARWA’S PARALLEL JOURNEY
Deepak Babulal Karwa, Mr Gopal’s batchmate and a fellow IAS officer from the Haryana Cadre, played a key role in organising the relay teams. Unlike Mr Gopal, Mr Karwa did not have a strong swimming background, having started later in life. His determination to take on the Channel, despite this, highlights his commitment. IAS Deepak Karwa swam with a different six-member relay team on June 16, 2025, completing the crossing in 13 hours and 39 minutes. “Deepak’s experience was different because he wasn’t a strong swimmer like me,” Mr Gopal told Indian Masterminds. “He started late, but he trained hard and made it happen.”
Together, their swims on June 16 and 18 marked a historic moment for Indian civil servants, showcasing the power of collaboration and determination.
A LEGACY OF DISCIPLINE
For IAS officer Abhinav Gopal, the swim was a way to stay grounded, active, and mentally sharp. Together, their teams—representing India’s diversity—set a new benchmark for Indian open-water swimming, with their record-setting crossings standing as a source of national pride.
As IAS Abhinav Gopal looks to the future, he has no specific plans for his next challenge. “It’s not about chasing records,” he says. “It’s about having something to aim for, to keep myself active and balanced.” For now, the English Channel remains a defining achievement, a symbol of what can be accomplished when preparation meets passion.
