Some events are created to really challenge and inspire you.
Great Swim is one of those events.
It all began in 2008 with the Great North Swim and developed into the four-event British Gas Great Swim Series the following year and the present five-event series.
Here, swimmers who have taken part in one of more Great Swims offer their stories – covering everything from why they decided to take part in the first place, to the training they did, to any obstacles they had to overcome, and to how the day itself went.
They are mostly just ordinary people who fancied a challenge - and perhaps wanted to get fitter and healthier in the process.
Some are from people who really had to overcome major problems to reach their goals.
They are incredibly inspiring accounts of the human will to succeed. And there are other related stories here too, which we hope you will find just as useful, with tons of great advice and inspiration!