I’ve been swimming since I was 5 as I grew up abroad in Bahrain.  During Covid I took on the Aspire Channel Swim in my local pool as it captured my imagination, but I was also desperate for a challenge and something to give me focus. I love swimming but I do also like to have something to aim for.

I started open water swimming about three years ago.  I went on a SwimTrek holiday for beginners in the Lake District and got the bug. Then I started swimming in a man-made lake and more recently the sea. I now swim with two sea swimming groups during the week.

I love the feeling of freedom in the water, particularly being surrounded by nature, with the open sky and expanse of water with the ducks and birds. In the sea I love the salt, the seaweed and the rolling waves. It all feels meditative as your mind can be free. The cold water hit is also so good for your head; I sleep incredibly well and just overall feel really well. 

I live in Gosport near Stokes Bay and look at the Isle of Wight when I walk along the promenade, so it’s never felt very far away, and I’ve always wanted to swim to it.  After taking on the Aspire Channel Swim again in 2023 and 2024, I saw that Aspire also offers their Solent Swim, so I signed up because I like a challenge and wanted to do something good. 

My Solent Swim

I was so ready for the day of the swim as I was meant to swim last year but the bad weather postponed us several times.  The conditions were glorious!  We could not have asked for a more perfect day, the sea was calm and sun was shining.  I had so much love and support from my friends and family who came to wave me off and believed in me.

I loved the whole experience as I felt at one with the sea.  I loved the way the sea felt - calm and peaceful with shots of extra cold water then warm - it was totally hypnotic and meditative.   The water was beautiful and I loved the changing temperatures as we swam across.  I was in my flow gliding and felt like channelling my inner mermaid!  

I also sang and hummed the whole way over underwater, mostly songs from the Sound of Music and Disney with Queen, ABBA, Madonna and Kylie thrown in! 

The sky was so blue. The boats were out so I could see the tops of the sails when I turned my head, and once I could see the spire at Ryde, I knew it was achievable. I felt supported and safe throughout; the briefings were on-point and no question was left unanswered. The WhatsApp chat group was supportive, and I met new people to swim with. My kayaker, Faith, was exceptional. She smiled at me the whole way over and was so incredibly encouraging.  The tides were hard, but the kayakers and the support team guided us. 

I’m delighted to have raised £1,340. I am super happy to be able to contribute thanks to my friends and family.  I’m glad to be able to support people who don’t have the same opportunities as me. I have suffered on and off from back pain for years and at times it can be debilitating. I feel fortunate and grateful to still be able to do everything I enjoy, so I’m glad I can support this amazing charity and those who need extra help to do what they love or be able to get by.

It felt like such a huge achievement to step onto Ryde Sands. I felt elated, energised and so proud of myself but also in awe of all of us. It was such a big thing to achieve while at the same we have given back and helped others.

I’m a big believer that if your head is in right place you can achieve anything in life... onto the next challenge!

Sponsor Liz

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