My swim journey began at the age of three, swimming once a week at my local leisure centre. At age seven I was asked to join a swim club where my training increased dramatically. I swam at county level for five years, but in all honesty, racing was not for me. I never enjoyed spending my weekends at galas, waiting up to six hours to swim for a total of four minutes (if I was lucky!). I still loved swimming but I knew I needed a new goal to continue my hobby. I knew I got the most enjoyment from being in the water and staying in the water!

 

This sparked my research into long distance swimming events, which is when I discovered Channel swimmers. Although I was only 16 at the time, I became fixated on the idea that I would one day be able to swim across the English Channel solo (21 miles). Understandably, my family had many worries at such a marathon (and rather dangerous!) task, but I continued to delve further into researching exactly what the event would entail. I found that many people recommended completing the Channel as a relay before attempting a solo. I managed to find five other strangers (through social media) who shared the same aspirations as I did. Within a year, we trained hard and swam across the English Channel as a six-man relay team, each swimming for an hour at a time. We completed the swim in 13 hours and 31 minutes in June 2016. This experience was truly rewarding and one I will never forget.

 

Our achievement motivated me even further to train for a solo crossing. I upped my training considerably and kept increasing my mileage and hours in the water. In May 2017, (in chilly water temperatures!) one of my training swims included a one-way Lake Windermere (10.5 miles), which I completed in 5 hours and 38 minutes. This was useful as it gave me a good indication of the challenges I would likely face during my Channel swim. 

 

Then, finally my dream became a reality, in August 2017, a few days after my 19th birthday, I crossed the English Channel solo in 13 hours and 49 minutes. This was an emotional and gruelling experience but one that I will be forever proud of. I completed my swim in aid of the charity Meningitis Now. (Meningitis is an illness I suffered with as a child, leaving me with severe hearing loss in my right ear). With a combination of organising my own fund-raising events as well as generous donations from friends, family and strangers I raised a total of £4,310.06 for the charity.

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I first began my career in swim coaching through volunteering for my local swimming club. I then gained my qualifications as soon as I was old enough to complete the courses. Since then, I have taught swimmers of all ages and abilities, helping them to achieve their personal goals - whether that be improving their technique or teaching the basics to those who have never set foot in water. I thoroughly enjoy and gain great satisfaction watching my swimmers progress.