My late father was a swim teacher, and life saver, coaching those within the local community to swim and also help save lives.  He sadly passed from a brain tumour and I decided to continue his teaching as a swim teacher myself. This was something he always hoped I would do.

Sponsor The Water Warriors

I first took part in the Aspire Channel Swim in 2015, when I was overcoming a long term illness by swimming myself back into remission. 

I used the Aspire Channel Swim to inspire my swim clients with their own swimming and bring a sense of community team spirit amongst my swimmers, as this challenge is very achievable for all ages and abilities working as a team to reach our goals. 

This year, after a long break from the challenge but still continuing my swim teaching with my company Swim Works, I decided to revive the collective team spirit I found within the Aspire Channel Swim but this time with a twist. Being very passionate about dog sports and dog training I spoke with Liz, a very good friend, who runs a dog training centre in Rayleigh called RPSK9.  I suggested that we invite other people with their dogs to come to enjoy the water and raise money for charity. So together we co-founded The Water Warriors team.  Our friend Ashley owns The Little Printing Company, which is supporting our cause with free printing to help ust promote our swim and our charity work.  All three of these companies have dogs training at RPSK9. 

Next year I hope to gather even more swimmers from schools & leisure centres in addition to our canine swimmers so Water Warriors is set to expand even further in 2026.

 

This resulted in The Water Warriors with RPSK9 and myself at Swim Works.  This is a very unique team that includes swimmers and owners with their dogs. Our team are:

• Jane Hatwell & Milo 🐾
• Elizabeth Watson & Saoirse 🐾
• Ashley, Jade & Rex 🐾
• Natalie & Zenitsu & Honey 🐾
• Luca Gheberta - 9 years (1-2-1 swimmer)
• Joanne Craze with Calliope & Obi 🐾
• Sofia Abrams - 2 years (1-2-1 swimmer)
• Andy Hawes & Bowie 🐾
• Jade Jenkins 🏊‍♀️
• Ozzie with owner Megan 🐾
• Eden Zhang age 5yrs (1-2-1 swimmer)
• Wendy & Winnie 🐾

The Water Warriors mission:

• To promote the health benefits and water safety of swimming both in pools and outdoors.
• To welcome human swimmers with or without canines.
• To promote good responsible dog ownership and how swimming can be a great outlet for dogs and humans.
• To enable water warriors to teach many skills around the waters in addition to swimming itself and water safety. 
• To show how good responsible dog ownership can make a difference to people’s lives and do something good within the community for charity.
• To inspire others to enjoy the waters in a safe setting, make friends and swim fit or learn to swim.

Our swimming will take place in many different places from pools to outdoor venues. Once per fortnight from October we shall be arranging a group meet for those who want to attend - with or without dogs - to swim as a group in the waters around Southend/Shoebury areas.

 

Our youngest swimmer, Sofia my granddaughter is only 2 years old, and she will be swimming with me in the pool once per fortnight. Luca (9) swims with me at Everyone Active most weeks and Eden (5) swims with me at Chigwell Independent School. We also have some mature adult swimmers/triathletes who have joined us to make our team along with our canines.

With all the negative press over dogs these days it’s refreshing to have some positive news of good responsible dog ownership promoting not only swimming for people but also swimming for dogs while raising money for a worthy cause such as the Aspire Channel Swim.

My mother was born with spinal cord issues and went through many operations as a child to help her to walk. She was in leg braces until she was 5 then they tried other treatments.  Eventually at the age of 15 or 16 they decided to operate.  My mum is now 80 and fighting cancer but every day she is an inspiration to me.  My late father was a swim coach and life saver for pools and he also trained in the sea too.

  

In addition to having ulcerative colitis which is presently in remission, I have also been recently diagnosed with spinal issues myself - Ankylosing spondylitis and arthritis, which flares up often. Swimming is obviously the best form of exercise with any conditions like these and offers much relief from pain and pressure from joint issues.

Swimming is a fitness activity that anyone and everyone can do no matter your age, ability or disability.  The health benefits of swimming are second to none when done safely whether that’s in a pool, or outside in cool waters.  Swimming is freedom and I hope many can experience what it truly feels like to be free, even if it’s for a short time of pain or stress relief.

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