Why I Swim
In short, because of my beautiful Dad. It was one of the greatest gifts he gave me.
I first learnt in a pool at a really young age. My Dad was a really good swimmer; his coach was an ex Olympic swimmer and so he made sure we could all swim as soon as possible. He loved the water and was also an incredible scuba diver and sailor. My school then recommended I should join the local swim club, so Mum and Dad signed me up to join the Wantage White Horses.
At first I hated it. I hated the competitiveness, I hated the rules in competitions, I hated training all the time. I only just found this out recently but I asked my mum why they didn’t let me quit and she said it was my Dad who saw how good I was and knew how important it would be for me. I struggled at school and I think he knew swimming could be the boost I needed. He was right.
I ended up loving swimming. I was good at something and I knew how to swim better than I could walk or talk. I felt so powerful in the water, so strong, so confident. Whenever I was struggling with school work, I knew I had swimming.
When I was 17 my Dad died by suicide. My world stopped moving and so swimming stopped too. I can’t really put into words how losing my dad made me feel. I lost my hero.
It’s been a long road since losing Dad. I was very angry, lost and confused. Life still doesn’t feel quite right without him but after a few years of drinking too much and being very angry, I started swimming again but this time outside. I moved to Cornwall for University and there wasn’t a swimming pool in Falmouth. So I began swimming in the sea and wow did my love of swimming come back and stronger! This time I wasn’t swimming competitively, I wasn’t stuck to a lane, I was able to see fishes and changing landscapes and the different shapes the water takes on. I also found it calmed me, it was my sort of meditation. It’s now a big part of my life and I feel lost if I haven’t been in water for a dip or a swim.
I’m actually 40% of the way through cycling around the coast of the Britain to raise money for mental health and raise awareness of suicide. I chose the coast so I could also get in the sea and dip, as I need it. I’m asking groups of cyclists and swimmers to join me as I make my way around. Community and movement are some of the best things for our mental health. I’m glad there are groups like ‘Mental Health swims’. Moving, being out in nature and getting in the sea make me very happy and I hope more people can give it ago.
Here’s a link to my page if you’d like to donate or join me on my challange (for a dip or a ride) – https://saddletosea.co.uk
Katy
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/saddletosea