I feel very lucky to have found outdoor swimming as a hobby and am amazed at what it has done for me. I am a year-round swimmer in the rivers and sea where I live in Morecambe. I always get the usual questions about cold and how do I do it or why. I believe the magic in this sport is found beyond the doubts and fear. When I started out I remember being very nervous and I’d swim a few metres before my imagination took over and I’d thrash my way back to dry land, but something called me back each time, mainly a desire to overcome the fears and do what I really wanted to.
My approach to all year round cold swimming has taught me a lot: perseverance, commitment, but most of all the ability to relax and breathe when my mind is telling me I should quit, and that is a skill that reaches far beyond swimming.
If there is anyone in the Morecambe/ Lancaster area interested in swimming outdoors I have a Facebook group called MALLOWS. Please join us!