Tag: england

Categories
Adventure swimming Cold water swimming

Kerry Andrew: SKIN

A person with short blonde hair and a long fringe, submerged up to their shoulders in the water. They are looking down at their reflection in the water. The water is flat and calm and there are trees in the distance.

Author Kerry Andrew joins me to talk about SKIN, a story of mystery, myths and – of course – swimming.

SKIN follows the journey of eleven-year-old Matty. Joe, father to Matty, has disappeared, and nobody will explain where he’s gone, or why. Kerry captures the joy of outdoor swimming as Matty finds peace in the water, firstly in the Hampstead Ponds, and later in the loughs of Ireland, although it’s not always a harmonious relationship.

In this episode, Kerry describes the novel and the inspiration, as well as a dream swim that’s definitely going on my wishlist!

SKIN is available now in hardback and paperback.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

Categories
Cold water swimming Episodes

Sara Barnes: Winter swimming

A women swimmer walks out of a lake, with a rainbow and hills in the background

Lake District swimmer Sara Barnes shares why winter swimming means so much to her.

Sara started cold water swimming as therapy and as way to continue to experience her beloved Lake District landscape.

In this episode she talks about how the bravery needed to get into the water in the colder months pays off when you swim under a rainbow, as well as how to warm back up again after a swim.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

Categories
Adventure swimming Episodes

Matt Williams: Swimming the Lakes

Man in wetsuit swimming front crawl in lake, with mountains in the background

Adventurer Matt Williams on his incredible challenge to be the first person to swim every lake in the Lake District!

Matt shares his feelings ahead of the challenge – and how he needs more socks! Then we catch up again to find out how he got on, and the unexpected highs and lows on the journey.

Sponsor Matt

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

Categories
Advice on training for events Episodes

Swimming the Dart 10k

A view over the River Dart in Devon

My experience of my first marathon distance swim, swimming the Outdoor Swimming Society’s Dart 10k from (very early!) start to finish. I got really lucky with perfect conditions that definitely made it easier than it could have been. In this episode I talk about the highs and lows of the swim and my thoughts on finishing the challenge.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

Categories
Advice on training for events Episodes

Training for the Dart 10k

A woman swimming in water up to her face, with goggles and a swimming cap on, looking past the camera.

With the Outdoor Swimming Society’s Dart 10k event a week away, I share how I’m feeling ahead of the event and my training story with all the ups and downs of training for the longest swim I’ve ever done. I start by being in denial about signing up, before getting a reality check from Karen Smith, and some words of wisdom from my coach. I also try to learn to love my wetsuit.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

Categories
Episodes

Karen Smith: The power of community

A female swimmer smiling at the camera

Karen Smith is a strong advocate for the positive effect that swimming can have on mental health and believes learning to swim has changed her life.

In this episode, Karen talks about the community at her lido, Parliament Hill, and how she’s found friends across the country through a shared passion for swimming.

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

Categories
Adventure swimming Episodes

Liz Roe: A great day out

A swimmer in a wetsuit swimming past boats

A dedicated open water swimmer, Liz loves the freedom swimming outdoors gives and loves to encourage others into the water to experience this for themselves. In this interview Liz talks about her move from triathlon to longer swims. She recounts her swim across the longest lake in England, Lake Windermere, and her journey to becoming an open water swim coach and helping others get into the water. 

Liz’s website: Lakes Lidos Lanes

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS

Categories
Cold water swimming Episodes Swimming and mental health

How swimming helps with the tough stuff

A sunset reflecting on the sea

The podcast is back after a short break! In this episode I talk about why I needed to take a break, and how swimming has helped me with recent life challenges; from allowing me to focus on being in the moment, to making me more resilient.

For more information on the cold water research I mention in this episode, have a look at these articles:

BBC News: Can cold water swimming treat depression?

The Guardian: Could cold water swimming help treat depression?

Podcast: Play in new window

Subscribe: RSS