My first experience of open water swimming was when I was very young, just having a dip in the summer when on holiday at the seaside. Later when I relocated to Ramsgate, I felt inspired to swim in the sea, but didn’t have a great technique.

 Sponsor Wendy

In 2013 I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  I had an extremely aggressive attack which was unrelenting for two years. I found myself mostly bedridden, unable to walk or dress myself, and moving any part of my body was excruciatingly painful. Eventually with help I got myself to the sea and noticed that each dip not only eased the pain, but the swelling of my joints reduced too. I soon felt well enough to get myself to a yoga class. The two things combined to gradually put my body back together again; the sea lifted my spirits and gave me renewed hope for the future and the yoga gave my body strength.

In 2020, as summer turned to winter, a few of the Ramsgate sea swimmers decided to see how far into the winter we could bear the cold water.  A few of us lasted the winter; screaming, laughing, joking, shivering and sharing tea. It was a new beginning for all of us. I found solace in the sea and a love for sea swimming was born. I took on the Pier to Pier at Herne Bay and the one mile swim from Padstow to Rock in Cornwall.

One day in Ramsgate I saw a group of people swimming. They looked so polished, gliding effortlessly through the water and I watched in awe. I explained to my daughter that I thought they were Channel Swim training and she saw me looking on longingly.  When they got out, she gave me a little shove towards the group and we ended up chatting. The swimmers were all very encouraging when I told them that a Channel Relay was something I would love to do and told me to contact Aspire. They told me about their own personal swimming achievements and I was captivated.

Open water swimming clears my mind as I take in sunrises where the whole sky turns red, pink and orange and playful seals come to visit, often inquisitive to see what all the commotion is!  In the waves the sea gives me energy, in the calm I feel peace, and in the cold it reboots my brain and ripples my worries away.

Swimming the Solent

As a prelim to a Channel relay, I signed up to swim the Solent with Aspire. However, my training took a dive when I fell off my bike at speed going down a hill. I had a concussion which kept me out of the water for quite a while. The swim day came and I wasn’t sure if I had done enough. I arrived early, walked to the sea and took a gasp at the wide expanse of water that stood before me. I thought, well I’m here and I’m doing it, I was not prepared to give up.  I met the kayaker that would be guiding me, he seemed very kind and lovely. His jokes made me feel better as he proceeded to explain the course. I felt at ease because this person I had only met 10 minutes before had experience and he also had my back. I swam my own swim, keeping a beady eye on my guide the wholetime. I could feel the current pulling me in different directions, so I had to dig deep and swim hard. I stopped for a jelly baby or two just to top up my energy levels.  Apart from the very quick refuelling I swam as fast as I could, gave it my all, and eventually landed on the beach in Ryde. I felt euphoric and I was even more hooked on open water swimming.

During the ride on the pilot boat back to Gosport, I felt I wanted more. My benchmark had been that if I could swim the Solent then I could apply to do a Channel Relay. I have a fear of swimming in the dark, which would be my biggest challenge, but I have decided that facing those challenges is how I grow. Since being isolated at home in bed because of my illness, I have decided that I don’t want to live my life ‘playing it safe’, so as soon as I hopped off the boat, Aspire’s Assessment Day for their Channel Relay was in the diary!

I went along to the Aspire Assessment Day and listening to the speakers, meeting boat leaders and taking in all the information I could see how well-run things were; a well-oiled machine, but more like a passionate family of dedicated volunteers. I felt in safe hands. I don’t know anybody personally with a spinal cord injury but Paula Craig gave a talk about her injury and explained how she was knocked off her bike and it brought home to me how easily your whole life can change in an instant. She was so upbeat, positive and grateful to Aspire for all they had done for her that I made my mind up there and then that I would do everything I could to raise money for such a worthy cause.

My fundraising is going well; as my confidence has grown so has my ability to engage with others. Other than asking for donations I have organised a raffle, held an afternoon tea party and done a few haircuts! I am also organising a beach party and a ‘Where’s Wendy? in the Channel’ game.

I find it extremely encouraging being part of Team Scorpions. Our boat leader Rebekah is very supportive, setting us clear goals and keeping us all on track to make sure we reach our full potential. She’s generous with her time and happy to meet regularly with us for a swim and catch up, as well as giving me drills to practice and advice on nutrition and dealing with cramp.  She is always positive and fun. I love being part of our team, they are such a warm and friendly group.

I know that this challenge is ultimately to swim to France, but for me it’s so much more than that. It's for the people that have come together to support me, the people I share a swim with silly o’clock in the morning. The businesses that have generously given gifts for my raffle and the support I’ve been given by everyone I meet along the way. It is those experiences that bring a tear to my eye and warm my heart with gratitude, right now I feel like the luckiest person in the world to be chosen for such an amazing challenge and I will give it my all.

I have cycled from Ramsgate to Cornwall sleeping outdoors in a bivvy bag, I have trekked to Everest Base Camp and I’ve completed numerous triathlons but I think a Channel Relay will be my greatest challenge yet. My personal challenge will be the dark, the deep, and the jellies – but I will be ready!

I feel I have grown so much preparing for this challenge already, from my physical training to the people I have met. I have grown both in strength and confidence and right now I feel that I could take on the World!

Sponsor Wendy

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