Kate Gillwood was born in Galashiels, Scotland, raised from three years old in Yorkshire, found herself in London for 30 years and eventually escaped back to Scotland. She was raised to swim in rivers (the Wharfe at Appletreewick, for example), open air pools (Otley) and the sea, so open water swimming is not new. She started taking part in organised events about 10 years ago, putting on a wetsuit for the first time for the Great Scottish Swim in 2011. Now living just a few minutes from Portobello beach, one of her favourite things is to start the day with a sneaky swim in her local waters. She also likes to explore new swimming spots and share what she finds. However, with the current lockdown restricting her physical movements, she’s resurfacing memories of earlier swims, such as this one here.

I am holding my breath and not in the way you do when you dive down into the blue. No, like all of us, I am waiting for travel restrictions to ease and the time when I can venture again to waters new. In the meantime, I continue to look backwards and reflect on the privilege of past watery experiences. This one is special.

It was 1992, or was it ’91? I am not entirely sure and given it was pre-internet I can’t check as easily. Anyway, I spent three whole months on this paradise island, far from home and entirely different to anything I had experienced before. There were so many swimming opportunities on this one small lump of lava-strewn land that I was spoilt for choice. From wide golden beaches with towering surf that tossed me around, washing-machine style, to the turquoise waterfalls inland. The rainforest-type inland waters offered respite from the mosquito-laden air, damp with the heat. I marvelled at the bright colours of the sea life I had only previously ever seen in pictures that came alive in front of my eyes. I played in the water with yellow tangs, moorish idols and blue jacks. The clear Pacific Ocean offered me a window to a world I had only ever dreamed of. It was of course tinged with a respectful fear of what might lurk off the shelf or under the rolling surf fed by tales of people ‘taken’ by great whites.

We trekked across lava fields to a small, relatively shallow bay and dipped in a natural salt-water fish tank teeming with life. Wearing a laminated card to learn by putting colours to names was, I found out, merely an attraction for many fish. Apparently, they like shiny things and shocked me as they darted around me in numbers. My sister and I enjoyed a return to a playful childhood surfing the smaller waves together and snorkelling side by side, only to be faced with a teeth-baring moray eel. I may have invented a new backstroke that involved some squealing into my mask. It was one of the most fun times I had ever had. To spend such precious time with my sister and my mum was like gold dust in my hands.

Of course, we had to be respectful of this nature-dominated world with harsh, powerful sun beating down on our backs. We trod carefully into the dormant volcano crater and through the Iao Valley, where I discovered a couple clearing the non-indigenous and invasive guava bushes trying to preserve the island’s natural flora and fauna. I tasted fruits, some I had barely heard of let alone seen, all growing wild on bushes and trees ready to pick at will. Star fruit, carob and passion fruit among them.

It was a dream-like place to be and to swim in waters so clear and alive was simply incredible. Never to be repeated and never to be forgotten.

I was on the Hawaiin island of Maui, where my sister lived at the time. It was incredible if not a little dangerous but that was part of the fun. It is a small island but packed full of things to experience from the volcano crater of Haleakala, home to the Silversword found nowhere else on Earth, the cooler forests of the higher ground with Red Cardinals sitting in the trees and of course the ocean teeming with life. I highly recommend it but fully appreciate that it is out of reach for many. It is a very expensive place to visit and stay and that was a long time ago. To get there I had to fly from London via San Fransisco to the main island Oahu where I was able to visit Honolulu beach. Then a final flight to Maui to be presented with the traditional lei. I am so lucky I was able to see that. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

If you have any suggestions of places I could swim email me on k.gillwood4@gmail.com or find me on Instagram @kategillwood4

Please also take a look at my new website: www.swimfreedom.co.uk

A rope swing to the past

An urban gem behind a sea wall

Jumping trout in the wind

Highland Adventure Part 1

Highland Adventure Part 2

Waterfalls of tea

Less skipping and more colour

How to swim 8m in 15 minutes

Storms, floods and a shallow lagoon

A year in open water from lochs, orca trails and sea pools to the stacks of St Kilda

A weekend of clarity

A swim spot that can’t be named

Moon channel

Getting a confidence boost on my home beach

In the wake of an orca

Discovering neuks and crannies

Imported sand, piscinas naturales and a pool to myself

Swimming in the shadow of a famous castle

‘Sunny Dunny’ home of the red cliffs and long lost lidos

Where the land is low and the water bulls are loud

Lakes, mountains, poets and a bit of running

Last swim with a friend

Sweeping views, menacing swans and a rich history

Clear water, abandoned submarines and pink footed geese

Famous for oysters & surrounded by mountains

Where the crabs are blue