1) Why did you decide to enter the Great Swim events?
I did the inaugural Great North Swim and it was such an amazing experience I had to come back for more. I am also a self confessed total ‘comfort zone’ person and wanted to see if I could actually break away from that – and I did!
2) What is your previous experience of open water swimming?
None, apart from the GNS in 2008 and Bournemouth pier-to-pier in 2009.
3) Are you a keen swimmer?
Swimming is the main sport in my life due to a dodgy knee. Luckily I love swimming and am a regular at the 6.30am swims at our local leisure centre
"...You talk to people you have never met before and everyone has a different reason for taking part from novices to experienced open water swimmers – some amazing stories!"
4) What type and how much training did you do?
Just my regular mile in the pool; I did not manage to get any open water training in at all!
5) How did the Great London Swim compare to the Great East Swim?
The GLS was really good but quiet – it seemed to lack atmosphere as the start and finish were so far apart. The GLS location was amazing though, especially swimming under the bridge. The GES had a really good vibe. The only problem was the showers were too far away from changing tents
6) Did you have friends or family supporting you?
I had my brother supporting me for the GLS. We made a family holiday of it for the GES and also met up with 11 friends who all took part. I even got my husband’s brother-in-law to enter and he is now hooked on outdoor swimming. GES was just me and one swimming friend
7) What did you enjoy most about the events?
Apart from the pride of finishing (and seeing Mark Foster in 2008!), I think it was the support everyone gave each other. You talk to people you have never met before and everyone has a different reason for taking part from novices to experienced open water swimmers – some amazing stories!
"...I wanted to do a reasonable time but in hindsight the swims are so amazing maybe the people who take in the scenery as they are swimming have got the right idea."
8) Was the cold water as bad as everyone thinks?
No way – especially if you are wearing a wetsuit. The GLS was in fact really too warm for wetsuits. I have swum in much colder open air pools.
9) What is the best piece of advice you could give to someone doing it this year?
Don’t feel pressured to go in the water with the masses. As we are all time chipped you can enter the water in your own time and not get kicked or swum over. Enjoy it and believe it or not make the most of it. I wanted to do a reasonable time but in hindsight the swims are so amazing maybe the people who take in the scenery as they are swimming have got the right idea. It is over so soon and much as you want to, unless you are Julian Crabtree, you can’t do it again for another 12 months – shame! Oh, and spotting – I might learn that one year and not swim probably an extra half mile by going off course!
10) What is the one item you can’t do without on the day?
A beer afterwards! And also good goggles as I hate not having clear vision and seeing where I am going. The water can be quite murky and being able to see well above the water is such a bonus.