I learnt to swim as a child, but I didn’t excel at sport so was put off doing any for years. I took up swimming because I thought I should do some exercise and I liked the fact that it is solitary. I became a regular pool swimmer in 2012 and then in 2014, a good friend of mine asked if I wanted to go on a SwimTrek holiday. At the time I had never heard of such a thing, but I signed up with my eyes wide open. Completing this adventure gave me the most amazing feeling, and I became an open water swimming fan too.

In 2017 I started open water swimming in the UK, and I am lucky enough to have the amazing West Reservoir near me which is my spiritual home. I have been a few open water swimming holidays and I swim regularly at the reservoir. The swimming community is so welcoming and joyful. Through my holidays I have made swimming friends around the world. I have gone on to do other swimming adventures with them such as the Scilly Isles Challenge and a 6.5km swim in Cadaques.  

Open water swimming is incredible as it allows me to be at one with nature and immerse myself. I find the water holds me, challenges me and washes away the troubles of the day.  Swimming makes me feel fully alive - it allows me to be alone with my thoughts. It both calms me down and energises me. I feel braver and happier every time I swim. 

It is incredible for my mental health and also physical health. If I am ever stressed at work, the first thing my colleagues ask me is when I last swam!  When my Mum died a few years ago my local reservoir was my haven. I love the solitary nature of the swim to process my thoughts and emotions, coupled with the incredibly supporting swimming community before and after the swim.

Swimming with Aspire

In 1998, just after leaving university, I embarked on some voluntary work and lived with the amazing Alexandra Rickham, who was paralysed after a diving accident. I found out about Aspire through her and I have seen the impact that Aspire has had on people like Alexandra over the years.

In 2021 I did a Relay Channel Swim with Aspire. The relay was tough as I think I probably hadn’t focussed on how choppy the conditions might be. It was incredibly rewarding, particularly as I never thought I would be able to do anything like this.

I love the work that Aspire does and have a personal connection through knowing Alexandra. I am also a volunteer manager at WeSwim. WeSwim has 5 clubs in London, increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to swim and be part of a supportive community.

I am taking on Aspire’s Sealand Swim this year as I have a big birthday coming up in September and wanted to mark it with a big challenge (as well as a big party!). When I first took up swimming, I assumed I would always be rubbish. I have constantly pushed myself and surprised myself at how I can improve and take on new challenges. Every time I push myself, I grow, I get more resilient, and it feels amazing. 

I have been working over the years about my limiting belief that ‘I am rubbish at sport’. It’s been part of me for so long, so it takes time to rewrite my story. I’m getting there but I still have imposter syndrome when I go to training sessions, and I am the slowest. It takes me back to being at school when I was never picked for the team! I have to remind myself that I have to swim my own swim and that every day I am getting stronger. I talk about the importance of self-care and self-compassion with clients, and I need to remember to practice what I preach!

My training is intense as I’m combining some gym sessions with swimming training sessions. I have to remind myself that I wouldn’t have even gone to these sessions two years ago, so I am already improving by being there. I do feel like I am starting to see the benefits and have a few months more to continue to work on it. I have committed to take on the challenge so I am determined to put in the work to swim the best swim that I can do.

Thinking about my swim is a combination of excitement and being slightly terrified. I heard a great phrase which is “make your butterflies fly in formation” This is my mantra – to channel the nerves into something positive.

I’ve launched my fundraising page this weekend and gone out to close friends and family. I’m looking forward to spreading the word with my wider social, swimming and work community in the coming months to reach my target.  Raising money for Aspire and WeSwim in the process is incredible too as I am passionate about both charities. It feels great to be raising money for people with spinal cord injuries as this is close to my heart. I’m also delighted that any money over £1,400 will be split 50:50 with WeSwim. Volunteering there each week is such a lovely experience - seeing the impact and joy on swimmers’ faces makes it all worthwhile.

           

Sealand is an iconic swim and for me it is something that will be huge undertaking but worth it for the sense of achievement and personal growth. 

Sponsor Rosanna

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