Wacky races Eccentric efforts of the past

1862 William Hoskins becomes the first person to cross the Channel on a bale of straw

1883 Terah Terry mounts a tricycle to a canoe and becomes first to cross pedalling

1903 SF Cody, from Texas, crosses in a boat

dragged by a kite 1935 Jakob Baulig and Dr W Pickel, from Germany, cross by amphibious car

1949 First crossing by performing seal as part of an American radio stunt

1961 Bob Platten crosses on an iron bedstead slung on fuel tank floats, taking 6hrs 45 minutes

1963 David Tapp uses a three-ton amphibious tractor to cross in 7hrs 50mins

1963 Mr Platten gets into a barrel fitted with outboard motor to make the crossing