One of the most common questions I get asked is why I continue to swim in open water throughout the winter when what I actually train for is ultra-distance and marathon swims. The simplest answer? Because I love it. 💙 There is nothing quite like slipping into freezing cold water and feeling the noise of … Continue reading How Winter & Ice Swimming Impacts My Ultra-Marathon Swims
Category: Open Water Swimming
The Right to Swim, Venues and Safety through Education, not Exclusion
The right to swim is a powerful and often contentious topic within the open water swimming community. Across different countries, access to rivers, lakes, and coastal waters varies dramatically, shaped by cultural attitudes, legal frameworks, and safety concerns. In England, restrictions are particularly visible: many rivers and lakes are lined with signs declaring “Danger – … Continue reading The Right to Swim, Venues and Safety through Education, not Exclusion
Team Sophie: A Swim of Strength, Spirit, and Swearing!
I’ve come to believe that things happen when they’re meant to. That we meet the right people at the right time, in ways we don’t expect. That’s exactly what happened the day I met Sophie Durlacher. It was a typical open water session with The Cambridge Swimming Company. I was giving the safety briefing to … Continue reading Team Sophie: A Swim of Strength, Spirit, and Swearing!
More Than A Swim
Across the UK and beyond open water swimming communities are thriving and now offer much more than just swimming and fitness. These communities offer something that not many others do; they are spaces of connection, joy, understanding and inclusivity. One thing I love about different open water communities is their diversity. You will find marathon … Continue reading More Than A Swim
UltraSwim33.3 Montenegro 2025
What happens when you have an event team that is made up of swimmers, endurance athletes and coaches alongside a group of swimmers with goals that are determined to succeed whilst being supported by their friends and family? Answer – An UltraSwim33.3 event. This was the second UltraSwim33.3 event I had taken part in and … Continue reading UltraSwim33.3 Montenegro 2025
Cold Clarity: Why Winter Swimming Keeps Me Coming Back
For some swimmers, winter marks the off-season; a time to rest, recover, and ease off the intensity. For me, it’s the opposite. Winter is when I build. It’s when I focus on technique, speed, and strength, laying the groundwork for the open water season ahead. My goal this year was to improve my pace and … Continue reading Cold Clarity: Why Winter Swimming Keeps Me Coming Back
From the Channel to the Community
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my English Channel swim—not just the physical feat, but the emotional ripples that continue to surface. Maybe it’s the talks I give and the way I adapt them as life changes? Or is it the questions people ask that make me reflect more deeply? Im not sure but … Continue reading From the Channel to the Community
Let me tell you a story….
A story about Oona, she’s just 11 years old; she has faced many challenges and unseen fights in life. She uses a wheelchair full time. In 2023 I swam the English Channel firstly to raise awareness of swimmers with disabilities and what they can achieve with the right support. Secondly to help pay for swimming … Continue reading Let me tell you a story….
Swimathon Weekend in Brighton
After being left stranded on a platform in London I was anxious about travelling solo through London but I didn't have a choice. I didn't need to be in Brighton till 3pm so thankfully it wasn't an early train. I had a seamless journey, with no issues, building my confidence a little bit on travelling … Continue reading Swimathon Weekend in Brighton
A wheely good day out…
For once, it wasn't a ridiculously early start for our adventure to London, we met at just gone 8am at the train station, there were only 2 of us going to celebrate International Womans Day. I had booked assistance in advance. We were helped onto the train and on our way to the Love Open … Continue reading A wheely good day out…