Last Autumn I decided I was going to try and do a few cold sea dips throughout the winter, in an attempt to complete a challenge set by a cold water swimming group I had found. I decided to raise a small amount of money for charity (Mind) to keep myself motivated on those very cold and dreary days. To make myself accountable! 

At the point that I decided to do the challenge, I didn’t have any friends locally to me who I could swim with, and most people I spoke to about it thought I was bonkers! 

It’s daunting when you are alone, starting something new, to actually take the first steps.. to start.. and to then keep going! 

So I would drive for over an hour to meet a wonderful swimming group in Devon, to dip for 15 mins with them, and then drive home. 

I remember earlier this year, seeing a Facebook post by another mum at my daughters school which was about her swimming at our local sea pool. At that point, I’d never swum at it, but I added a comment saying maybe I’d see her there one day. I knew of her in the playground, but we’d never spoken. 

I also remember the first time she invited me to go with her.. to which I said yes, but then spent hours of anxiousness leading up to going. Should I go… I very neatly didn’t, but my husband persuaded me to go meet her! I didn’t need to have felt anxious as I joined her and some other friends of hers that night, and we had a great swim. 

Those ladies are now a truly awesome swim family, and really great friends! 

Two weekends ago, they organised a swim weekender where anyone who wanted too could join us for a weekend of camping and swims. We went down to Devon and had an itinerary of beautiful coves, pools and rivers to swim. 

Our second swim of the weekend was at Elberry Cove. The sun was shining and the wind was pleasant but you could see how the sea was moving around the cove. We decided to swim around a rocky outpost to a little cove where seals are sometimes seen. The current was with us as we went, and I didn’t have my tow float. This was going to be my first swim really moving away from the beach and I was daunted about getting back. 

6 months ago I would never have contemplated such a swim, but that day I knew how to breathe in the water, I knew how to stay calm and focused and most importantly I knew that my body and swimming strength was now a million times better than it was last November! I still struggle submersing my head into the cold water but I have a confidence now in my own ability to swim the distance and swim back again.. without the tow float to securely grip on to! 

As I travelled back from that weekend, I reflected on my ‘This Girl Can’ journey so far, and I smiled with personal pride! 🙂 

It’s always easy to focus on the things you can’t do. I can’t swim any distance in front crawl yet, I’m not super quick and I can’t dive underwater without getting brain freeze… I’m certain I won’t be as good as the other girls taking part…. but I am so proud of the confidence I have gained being in the water, that I’ve not over-stressed or over- pressurised myself to become a race winner in 12 weeks, and I’m proud of the composure I can maintain to swim distances close to the mile I will do at the Henley Event! 

My other reflection of pride related to me physically. Last November I wore black costumes and thick black wetsuits, to hide myself into the crowd. I was anxious of meeting new people and lacked confidence that people would like me. 

Earlier this year, I bought a flowery hair turban. I’d seen lots of pictures of them and thought they looked fabulous! Most of my swims were at night but I wanted to have one to wear one day when the sun was out and the sky was blue. I’d bought a rainbow flower wreath in Covid lockdown which I no longer wanted, and so the night before the swim weekend, I took the flowers off the wreath, matched them to my turban, and glued them onto a swimming costume! 

6 months ago I only wore black.. that day, I adorned myself in a colourful array of flowers and foliage! 

Over that weekend, I wore a different costume for each swim, with most being brightly coloured. My new Zoggs costume was part of my outfits, with its super bright orange and blue fiery print.

Through my training for Henley, I’ve gained an ability to swim again, but I’ve also gained an attitude to no longer care about being that barbie doll figure that society still deems as a role model of female beauty! 

So my advice for anyone reading this blog: 

Take that chance, even if you’re alone… because like minded awesome people will soon come into your life! Don’t be afraid to smile and say hi! 

Don’t give too hoots about whether you’re slim, with perfect skin, boobs or derrière! The water doesn’t care, your fellow swimmers don’t care… embrace who you are with your head held high! 

And lastly… be bright and be seen!! 

Wear the flowers and an awesome costume! Be the wonderfully unique person that you are!