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How to watch 'The Great Icelandic Swim' with Ross Edgley online from anywhere

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Ross Edgley’s latest endurance documentary follows his 1,000-mile attempt to circumnavigate Iceland’s coastline

The Great Icelandic Swim with Ross Edgley channel 4
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Channel 4 is bringing Ross Edgley’s Iceland expedition to TV in "The Great Icelandic Swim", a three-part documentary (60 minutes per episode) that follows his record-breaking 1,000-mile (1,610 km) swim around the coastline of Iceland.

Below, we explain exactly how to watch "The Great Icelandic Swim" from anywhere with a VPN.

'The Great Icelandic Swim' with Ross Edgley release date and time

'The Great Icelandic Swim' is a 3-part documentary series premiering on Channel 4 in the U.K. on Saturday, February 7 2026, at 7:30 p.m, GMT.
• WATCH FREE — Channel 4 (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free

This one isn’t a tidy highlight reel. The series leans into the gritty reality of long-distance cold-water swimming, with sea temperatures reportedly dropping to 1°C, and shows the physical and mental toll that weeks in the water can exact.

There’s also a clear second strand: the swim doubles as a scientific mission. Edgley collects environmental DNA and microplastic samples along the way to support ongoing marine research and conservation work.

Here's where to watch and stream 'The Great Icelandic Swim' online and from anywhere.

Watch 'The Great Icelandic Swim' in the U.K.

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Channel 4

In the UK, you can watch "The Great Icelandic Swim" with Ross Edgley live on Channel 4 at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 on the web or mobile app after each episode airs.

It’s a three-part series, with new episodes airing on Saturdays throughout February 2026.

If you’re outside the UK use a VPN set to a UK server to keep accessing Channel 4 streaming while you’re traveling.

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Watch 'The Great Icelandic Swim' from anywhere

If you’re traveling and your usual streaming apps stop working, a VPN (virtual private network) can help. It routes your connection through a secure server and makes it look as though you’re still in your home country, so you can continue using your existing streaming subscriptions while you’re abroad.

We’ve tested many services, and NordVPN is our top pick right now. It’s fast, reliable, and works across plenty of devices, making it a great option for streaming. You can also try it risk-free for 30 days thanks to its money-back guarantee.

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Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favourite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.

3. Sit back and watch. Open your streaming service and sign in as normal.

Watch 'The Great Icelandic Swim' in the U.S.

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Right now, there’s no confirmed way to watch "The Great Icelandic Swim" on traditional TV or streaming in the US. The full documentary is currently billed as a Channel 4 (UK) exclusive, with no official US streaming partner announced.

If you’re a UK viewer traveling in the US, you can still watch as normal by using a VPN like NordVPN to connect to a UK server, then streaming via the Channel 4 website or app with your free account.

Watch 'The Great Icelandic Swim' in Canada

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Canada doesn’t currently have a confirmed local broadcast partner, and the series is being treated as a UK Channel 4 exclusive.

If you’re a UK viewer traveling in Canada, a VPN like NordVPN set to a UK server can let you stream Channel 4 as usual with your existing login.

Watch 'The Great Icelandic Swim' in Australia

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Official Australian broadcast details have not yet been announced, and the documentary is currently available only in the UK on Channel 4.

If you’re outside the UK and want to watch via Channel 4, the usual solution is to use a VPN like NordVPN, connect to a UK server, then stream through the Channel 4 website or app as normal.

'The Great Icelandic Swim with Ross Edgley' — episode guide

  • Episode 1 (7 Feb 2026): The journey begins in Reykjavík, setting up the early conditions of the swim and teasing a “big announcement.”
  • Episode 2 (14 Feb 2026): Focuses on the brutal middle stretch and the mounting toll of the challenge, including Ross’s painful “salt tongue” injury from constant saltwater exposure.
  • Episode 3 (21 Feb 2026): Charts the final push back toward Reykjavík and the completion of the 1,000-mile feat.

'The Great Icelandic Swim with Ross Edgley' — FAQs

How long did the swim actually take?

Ross spent 114 days at sea. He began the 1,000-mile journey on 17 May 2025 and completed his circumnavigation of Iceland on 8 September 2025.

Is there a book accompanying the show?

Yes. Ross wrote much of his new book, "How to Hero," while recovering on the support boat between swims. In it, he breaks down the mental frameworks he relied on to endure – and ultimately survive – the brutal conditions along Iceland’s coastline.

Was this a world record?

Yes. Ross became the first person in history to swim the entire coastline of Iceland, covering more than 1,600 km in some of the most treacherous waters on Earth.

Is Chris Hemsworth in the documentary?

While the show is centred on Ross, Chris Hemsworth also appears, offering commentary and support. The two previously worked together on the Disney+ series "Limitless," which first sparked the idea for this extreme endurance test.

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Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Caroline Preece
Caroline Preece
Contributing Smart Home Writer

Caroline is a freelance writer and product tester, previously working in roles such as smart home editor across various titles at Future, including Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, and TechRadar. As a technology and lifestyle expert, Caroline specializes in smart home tech, appliances, and more. She currently operates out of her cozy Suffolk apartment and is more dedicated than ever to helping people find the best products for their own homes.

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