Which source says "first vegetarian"? 93rd channel swimmer, and a veggie, but ....?? Pam D 04:00, 15 June 2024 (UTC) [ reply ]

He was the first vegetarian to make the crossing because you can look up all the other record holders before him, none were vegetarian, they all ate meat. If you scan British newspapers and search for Channel swimmer and vegetarian, Bill Pickering is the only person ever to be mentioned. Pickering is the only vegetarian to make the crossing and all the newspapers in the 1950s picked up on this. It is similar to how Killer Kowalski was the only vegetarian wrestler in the 1960s.

There is a rare booklet put out by the British Vegetarian magazine that describes him as the first vegetarian channel crosser, I have seen it because my friend operates a vegetarian museum. It was authored by Cyril H. Oliver and published in 1969. I agree by policy though we would need a better source so I have removed that wording. Psychologist Guy ( talk ) 17:49, 15 June 2024 (UTC) [ reply ]