Episode 2 – why we do events and how (or if) we prepare (SW002) - a podcast by Karen Parry outdoor swimming

Welcome to episode 2 of the Swim Wild podcast. This week I’m talking to Sarah, a very lovely, funny woman who very generously shares her time and experiences with me. Our conversation about wild swimming goes into many different subjects. But the thing that I come away thinking about, is how similar we are when we sign up to do an event.



By the time this podcast goes live, she will have done the 10km Bwrlwm Bermo - Barmouth Hurly Burly, and I’ll have completed the 1.5km Aberdovey Swim. We met the weekend before, both contemplating having a week to go before our big event of the year.

For Sarah, the 10km challenge will be the farthest she has ever swum – by a considerable distance. I’m utterly in awe at the thought of completing such a distance.

For me, more comfortable swimming in lakes, the Aberdovey swim will pose new and unknown challenges – not in terms of distance, as I’ll comfortably swim a mile each week in the local lake, but through the unpredictability of the weather and the effect of the tide. I don’t do a lot of sea swimming, I understand the water less, feel more nervous about its power and overall less in control.

When we talked about our respective events, neither of us knew the detail. We had the big picture – date, place, time. But neither of us had studied the details. For me, it’s the detail that can psyche me out. If I’d read too much about what the weather had been like on the same weekend in previous years, or how strong the currents and tides were, I wouldn’t have felt more prepared, I’d have felt more scared.

Sarah seemed to have the same psychology. Her approach was, “I’ve been working on the distance. On the day I’ll just turn up and do it.” She wasn’t even sure which way up the estuary she would be swimming.

I admire this brave and crazy approach. I equally admire people who study the detail and use that to give them confidence.

I’ve done quite a few events this year, and am starting to think I’ll do less next year. Not less swimming. Never less swimming. But less events.

Less mass starts. Less event swimming hats. Less medals.

Some events have pushed me to swim in places I might not venture into. Others take me to places that may otherwise lay undiscovered – it’s Killary Fjord next week! Others test your stamina due to the distance or temperature, or presence of jellyfish.

But next year, I’m wondering if I can summon up these tests into a calendar of events that only involve myself and a couple of friends. We could design our own t-shirt and hat and medal and tick them off as we go – finding the things that will push each of us to discover new places, experience more joy and face personal demons.

That’s what I’ll mainly be Googling this week!



Places we mention

Capernwray diving centre, Burgh Island, Salcombe, The Pilchard Inn, USwim Boundary Park, Holmes Chapel, Great North Swim, Windermere, Hatchmere, Bala – Llyn Tegid, The Quarry near Delamere, Coniston, Cumbria, Alderford lake, Pickmere



Events we mention

Epic events, Bwrlwm Bermo - Barmouth Hurly Burly, Salford Quays polar swim, Aberdovey Swim, Big Welsh Swim, Great North Swim, Windermere



Groups we mention

#ChesterFrosties, Outdoor Swimming Society



Other stuff

Robson Green wild swimming adventure, Swim Trek, Brownlee Brothers, Raynaud’s, OW swim coaching qualification

Further episodes of Swim Wild Podcast

Further podcasts by Karen Parry outdoor swimming

Website of Karen Parry outdoor swimming