Karl Bushby, the former British paratrooper known for his ambitious attempt to circumnavigate the globe entirely on foot and by swimming, has encountered a significant obstacle in his journey—French authorities have refused permission for him to swim across the English Channel from their shores. This marks the latest setback for Bushby, who has been undertaking his expedition for 28 years and has traveled more than 36,000 miles since departing Chile in 1998.

The 57-year-old adventurer has previously completed a range of extraordinary feats, including swimming 186 miles across the Caspian Sea and becoming the first Briton to trek across the frozen Bering Strait. Despite these achievements, his planned Channel swim has been blocked because France banned swims from its beaches in 2018, citing safety reasons. Additionally, Eurotunnel has prohibited Bushby from walking through its undersea tunnel connecting France and England, also due to safety concerns.

Bushby’s route requires him to avoid any motorized transport and to cross from Belgium to England without breaking this rule. Although cross-Channel swims are permitted from the English side, the ban on the French side has prevented him from continuing his journey as planned. The French Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, responsible for enforcing the 2018 prefectural order, has indicated that it is reviewing Bushby’s request to swim, but no decision has yet been made.

Bushby expressed hope for an exception to the rule, stating that he has arranged for a support boat for an attempted swim in October. He estimates the crossing could take two to three days. While waiting for the authorities’ decision, Bushby has returned to Mexico—where he spends time between legs of his journey to comply with visa requirements—and intends to return to France by late September to prepare for the swim.

Although disappointed by the current developments, Bushby remains open to alternatives. If permitted, he still favors walking through the Eurotunnel as the preferred method to reach his home city of Hull, England, but this option remains closed to him at present.

This challenge comes amid wider tensions over Channel crossings, which have surged in recent years as thousands of migrants have attempted to reach the UK from France by small boats. The British government has invested over £660 million to support French efforts to stem illegal crossings. Despite the ongoing migration issues, the regulations that affect Bushby’s journey remain firmly enforced, underscoring the complexities faced by those attempting non-standard crossings of the Channel.