Category: Events

Dover Channel Training Conference Part 2

by Sophie, posted in English Channel, Events, Family, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, safety, Training

Day 2 started with me wanting to stay in bed and my sister staying in bed, not the best start.  The morning sessions weren't overly relevant to my sister and after the faff with trains and a busy day on Saturday I was kind enough to let her sleep...aka I couldn't wake her up! The … Continue reading Dover Channel Training Conference Part 2

2023 Channel Swim Introduction

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, coaching, Disability Swimming, Disabled, English Channel, Events, Lake Windermere, Life in a wheelchair, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Races, teaching, Training, Wheelchair User

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" Albert Einstein The beginning of the new year is always something to celebrate, we look back on all we have achieved the previous year and, perhaps, most importantly we look forwards and plan for the new year. For me, the plan is simple; to be the first person … Continue reading 2023 Channel Swim Introduction

Reflections

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, coaching, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Events, Family, friends, Living with a Disability, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, Training, Wheelchair User, winter swimming

New Years Eve is typically when everyone looks back on the previous year but for me, this year, I am not looking back just one year. Instead, I am looking at how far I have come over the past few years and I have to say, if I hadn't lived it, I'm not sure I … Continue reading Reflections

The end is in sight – Dover Part 3

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disabled, Events, friends, fundraising, marathon swim, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, safety, Wheelchair User

Everyone (that was awake) was excited. We were pretty sure the 3rd swim would be our final swim and I think as a result, subconsciously, we had all decided to give it absolutely everything we had.  Dean was up and went in smiling, had an amazing swim and came out looking like the Cheshire cat and … Continue reading The end is in sight – Dover Part 3

The Channel Relay Begins

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disability Swimming, Events, friends, fundraising, marathon swim, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, psychology

The boats engine started, and we were off. My first thought “make it to Shakespeare Bay without being sick”. Then it was “please, please just make it to Shakespeare Bay before being sick” and then “please, please, please just make it to Shakespeare Bay before being sick” and by that time we were at Shakespeare … Continue reading The Channel Relay Begins

Dover – A waiting game

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disabled, Events, friends, fundraising, marathon swim, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, safety, teaching, Wheelchair User

Once we were all organised and settled we shouted goodbye to the people onshore and we were off! After 14 years of unfinished buisness with the English Channel it was time to finish it.

Coaching Development Day at Swim Cube

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, coaching, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Events, friends, Life in a wheelchair, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, teaching, Training, Wheelchair User

  For a couple of years now I have wanted to go to The Swim Cube to have my stroke analysed and see if there are any improvements I could make and for Christmas 2021 my parents got me a voucher to go. I was so excited about finally going and trying to understand my … Continue reading Coaching Development Day at Swim Cube

2022 Events booked…and training begins!

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Events, friends, Lake Windermere, Living with a Disability, marathon swim, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, psychology, Races, Training, winter swimming

  This week has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster and, being honest, my head has been all over the place.  Good for my training, not so good for my pain. I have a lot going on right now, and my friend described it perfectly; in life we all have ‘YAY’ moments and “BOO” … Continue reading 2022 Events booked…and training begins!

To be inclusive think FRIENDS

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, Disability Swimming, Disabled, Events, Life in a wheelchair, Living with a Disability, Mental Health, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimming, safety, Training, Wheelchair User

  When you are an open water swimmer with a disability a common message and email you find yourself sending is this: “Dear …… I am an open water swimmer and am interested in ….(event)…however I have a disability that means I am a wheelchair user. I can walk short distances using crutches so I … Continue reading To be inclusive think FRIENDS

Kendal Mountain Festival Part 2

by Sophie, posted in Adaptive Swimming, challenge, chronic illness, chronic pain, Disabled, Events, Family, friends, Lake Windermere, Living with a Disability, open water, Open Water Swimming, outdoor swimmer, Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, Outdoor Swimming, Wheelchair User, winter swimming

  After spending the night dreaming of talking to a room full of cabbages I woke up feeling surprisingly rested but quite sore. We got up at around 8.45am as we had to head to the hotel restaurant for breakfast, it was the first meal we had had at the hotel, and it was incredibly … Continue reading Kendal Mountain Festival Part 2