Here for the swimming

In open water swimming you see all different kinds of body types and sizes – everyone is welcome. However, swimming as a whole isn’t always like that, as Sophie Etheridge explains.

One of the things I love about open water swimming is the lack of politics so when I was told the theme for this month, I actually struggled with what to write about. Naturally, I went to my swim buddies and asked them for any ideas. I had a couple, one around skins vs wetsuits but that is talked about so often that I wanted something different. The second idea and the one I have gone with was around our bodies and what ‘a swimmer’ should look like. I’d never thought of it as politics but it’s a common discussion across all sports – body size.

In open water swimming you see all different kind of body types and sizes and, in my opinion that is one of the great things about the sport – everyone is welcome. However, swimming as a whole isn’t always like that.

Body shaming from a young age

I grew up as a competitive pool swimmer, I was a county level swimmer and as a swimmer I have always felt overweight. When I was younger, I often felt judged for being ‘big’ and I was frequently told that I would never be able to swim faster unless I lost weight. At the time, I was a UK size 10. In reality, I was a healthy weight and size for my age but because of the judgements and comments at swimming I constantly felt like I was trying to and needed to lose weight.

Open water swimming is different. Groups are inclusive; it doesn’t matter your size or body type, as long as you can swim, you’re welcome. However, there are still plenty of discussions that happen about people’s weight or size and the benefits and disadvantages. At events is where I most hear it, especially if it’s a long-distance swim.

Benefits of being plus-size in open water

The question being asked is normally is being big/overweight a benefit or positive thing in open water swimming? You read that right, could being overweight help with your swimming? This is something that you don’t hear often – being big might actually help you.

This question normally arises in a conversation about cold water swimming. Now, I don’t know what research, if any, has been done around this issue but in general people say that if you are on the larger size, the easier cold water swimming will be because you have more insulation in terms of body fat. The theory makes sense, but are these questions we should actually be asking individuals if we truly want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable?

I believe everyone should have access to and the chance to fall in love with swimming. Naturally, when everyone is welcome that means that all body sizes, shapes and conditions/situations are welcome. I am on the larger side of swimmers but never have I felt or been told I don’t fit in or can’t join in due to my size. Instead, I think people should focus on the important thing – the swimming!