I started open water swimming in 1997 when my daughter was 2 years old and we were living in Italy on the Adriatic coast. After having my daughter I felt I had lost myself so I did some swimming to have time on my own.  I started slow and did a few swim competitions in the sea and it went from there. I liked long distances better.  When we moved back to the UK I didn’t swim outdoors at first as the water was too cold for me, so I stayed in the pool.  I did a few challenges abroad - Bosphorus and Masters Swims - a Relay Channel swim in 2005 and since 2017 I have been swimming in the Thames.

I love open water swimming as I have made lots of friends who don’t care what you look like.  It also helps to keep me calm and a bit fitter. The Solent has always been a dream swim and when I found out that Aspire offered it, I asked to join in 2024.  I had been diagnosed with breast cancer at the end of 2022 and it looked like I might not make Xmas 2023.  But with chemo and radiation and being pig-headed, I did.  My open water friend helped me so so much by coming to take me swimming when I was really bad.  Being in the cold helped me a great deal as my skin looked like I had been in a fire.  I wasn’t allowed to swim in a pool as I reacted to chemicals. The Thames was my happy place and I can’t thank the groups enough. 

In 2024 I wanted to swim the Solent to prove I was still alive, despite my right arm having lost a lot of power and no feeling in my feet. But I decided it was too much and I wouldn’t have enough time to raise money, so I moved my swim to 2025.  However, that year became stressful due to the cancellations because of bad weather and we never managed to swim, so I’m glad we could do it this year as I knew that completing this swim would give me a bit more confidence in myself.

My Solent Swim

It was a lovely experience, with so many people seeing us off and everyone was very friendly.  The best part was the start, meeting everyone including my lovely kayaker Nicola, who was so encouraging when I felt like I was going nowhere.

My swim was a bit relentless and took about 3 hours 15 minutes. The sea looked flat when we started and there was a bit of wind. There were a few good waves from passing ships but the current was definitely not in my favour! I landed a long way east to where I was supposed to be and was told I have the record for the most easterly landing!  The swim for me was a bit gruelling and my shoulder was not happy ( but I knew it would hurt as it does not work as well after all the surgery).

Walking on the sand of the Isle of Wight felt good, as there was no way I would have given up.  I hurt so I know I am alive and that at nearly 66, I can still swim the Solent!  

I am also so pleased that so many of my friends have donated and I have been able to raise over £3,500.  I don’t know anyone with a spinal cord injury but when I put it on one of my groups someone thanked me as they have been affected. I am very happy to raise money as I know it helps. So many people have raised funds for cancer, which helped me. Having the opportunity to swim the Solent was amazing.

 

Sponsor Jacqueline

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