A few weeks ago I was honoured to introduce an incredible new film to a group of open water swimmers. “Young Woman and The Sea”.
I was so excited to see the new film and of course I wanted to share it with my favourite people. Of course, a no brainer was having Camilla come who being honest, this time last year; I hardly knew! I had met her a few times, but we had never spent lots of time together. That was until I sent her a message asking if she fancied an adventure only a month (if that) before my English Channel Swim when she ended up spending the best part of 35 hours watching me swim! She joined me in the water twice during my swim and I wouldn’t have made it without her so when I was asked to host the new film about Gertrude Ederle, who else would I ask?
Camilla and I met up earlier in the day on Tuesday and went for a meal and a decent catch up and we didn’t get lost AT ALL (I think it’s a record for us). After we had eaten, we went to meet Allison who was also coming to see the film with us. I was asked to be at the cinema at 5.30 to do a quick mic check and talk through what I had been asked to say but before I could go in a couple approached us outside the cinema asking if I was the woman that writes for the Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, we got chatting, but I had to go off and get organised. I was taken to screen 6, went inside and suddenly felt a little daunted by the enormity of the screen.
Obviously, I have been to a cinema but the difference between sitting looking at the screen watching a film and sitting/standing in front of it with a spotlight on you with the huge screen behind you holding a microphone gives you a new perspective on the room.
Each chair had a bag of popcorn and a drink by it and they were electric recliners and seriously comfy seats! I did the quick practice, went and got changed and went to find Camilla and Allison. We got seated and organised and a few people said hello to me and then I said my short bit before getting comfortable and settled as the film started!
I won’t ruin the film for you, but I will say that it was incredible, not only from a swimmers point of view but also as general feel good and empowering film. It highlights the struggles women have faced in sports and how much has changed since then. A clear example of that is that in 2024 gender equality is finally in place at the Olympic Games; for the first time ever there is a 50:50 ratio of men and women!
Last year when I was preparing to swim the English Channel, I decided to read Captain Matthew Webbs book and a quote stood out to me. On page 1 of his book he said that “I am writing what I believe will be essentially a book for boys” and throughout the book he makes the assumption that swimming the English Channel will only ever be possible by man.
Trudy faced many challenges in getting to swim the channel, the biggest challenge – men and the attitude that women can’t complete incredible feats of endurance and strength – she proved them wrong, female marathon swimmers prove them wrong with every single swim, I proved them wrong by setting the record for the longest one-way English Channel Crossing. She changed things, not just for herself but every other woman that swims the English Channel, those woman that participate in swimming, be it in the pool or open water!
This film is not only about swimming the channel, it highlights the relationships you need and create by taking on a challenge like the English Channel, it may be a solo swim but it’s very much a team event. It made me think about the unexpected friendships I have been lucky to make because of my swim and friends that have, in my mind, become family.
If you want to see a film about woman empowerment, what you can achieve with grit and determination and an inspirational film about never giving up then this one is definitely for you!