How to get over your fear of the deep
Swimming outdoors is a head game. Plenty of swimmers fear what’s underneath them when they’re swimming – some are more scared when they can see through clear water, while others fear the darkness. Jane Hobbs shares how she overcame her fear of what lies beneath to become a swim coach. She’ll be joining our Shepp Shifters team for the Level Water Wild Swim Relay at Shepperton in June.
I took up wild swimming properly in my 30s. Up until then, I was very confident in a swimming pool, but I had an underlying fear of larger bodies of ominously dark water, not knowing what lay beneath the ‘black abyss’! It didn’t, however, take long to convert my way of thinking, and I soon found open water swimming encapsulated a great sense of freedom, mindfulness and fitness all rolled into one. The trepidation converted into a companionship with my surroundings and love of the open water.
Getting support
I was helped along by meeting the right people at the right time, including incomparably friendly and supportive fellow swimmers and a very encouraging swim coach, Salim. It really felt like the perfect time to fully immerse myself in something new. It was also the perfect time for someone who had two young children, was leading a busy life and crying out for some time to herself as well, as setting some personal goals.
Fast forward a few years, and my swimming has evolved into something integral to my weekly routine and a glorious tonic for my wellbeing. My swims can vary from a couple of gentle laps on a weekend morning to marathon swim training and events. Consistency is key, even if it is a little often.
Helping others
Now a qualified swim coach and soon to be an open water swim coach, I have loved utilising my passion for wild swimming when guiding other swimmers to create personal goals and objectives for their own swimming journey.
For my own swims, I combine pre-work early morning pool swims for building strength and discipline, with wild swimming for everything else in between, but mostly to instil a healthy dose of life-affirming immersion into nature. I relish the camaraderie of my early morning pool lane swimmers, congregating in our all-weather huddle outside the pool, awaiting the doors to be unlocked. An amazing amount can be put to rights in this 10-minute confab!
My wild swimming, on the other hand, takes a little more coordination and logistical planning. It is definitely more organic in many ways. Its tranquil setting and holistic process allow me to reset after whatever else might be taking place that day, week, month or year, without the rigid structure and often repetitive nature of my pool laps. I even savour the drive to the lake itself, music turned up, time to myself and excited for the cathartic and restorative swim ahead. Towards the end of each swim, the smell of the sizzling bacon wafts from the far side of Shepperton Lake (my regular haunt), as my trajectory hones towards the finish line, a blissful magnetic pull!
Its tranquil setting and holistic process allow me to reset after whatever else might be taking place that day, week, month or year, without the rigid structure and often repetitive nature of my pool laps.
I often wild swim alone; however, I tend to cap my swims with caffeine-fuelled debriefs on the shoreline with fellow swimmers, comparing notes and gazing out across families of geese, swans and the occasional kingfisher if we’re lucky. I have made lifelong friends by the water, bonding over our shared passion for this brilliant pastime, whilst planning our next events together or just what we’re having for dinner! Swimming is a real leveller, attracting people from all backgrounds, all professions and void of judgement. Everyone has their own story to tell as to how they gravitated towards the water’s edge.
Training for the Wild Swim Relay
I am delighted to be part of the brilliant Outdoor Swimmer ‘Shepp Shifters’ team for the 24 Hour Level Water Relay this year. An inspiring group of like-minded women, coming together from across the country to cheer each other on and share this unique experience together, all whilst raising money for this fantastic charity. Our communal music playlist alone is full of all the positivity and energy I anticipate our team will transfer to the water!
Like previous training that I have done, I like to set myself achievable distance and speed goals in the lead up to a big swim. I’ve met people who train very differently, and it’s always interesting and often inspiring to see what can work for one may not necessarily work for someone else. I personally work best by giving myself weekly targets, incorporating drills. This way, if an event gets cancelled or circumstances change, I’ve built up strength and MOST importantly enjoyed the process!
Enjoyed Jane’s blog? Read team member Debs’ brilliant words about why participating in an event helps build her swim confidence. The Shep Shifters team is kindly supported by Zone3.
