Thirty swims before 30!

Sometimes the best swimming challenges are those we dream up for ourselves. Jodie Hoskin tells us her story

When I turned 29, I gave myself a bit of an odd birthday present: a swim challenge. One year, 30 outdoor swims, each in a new spot across the UK. No repeats. No wetsuits. Just me, my fav swimming costumes, and whoever fancied coming along with me. I called it 30 Before 30, a joyful, splashy countdown to my next decade.

At first glance, it might look like a light-hearted quest for sea-dipped selfies (of which there have been lots). But for me, this challenge runs a bit deeper. So far, it’s been a celebration of friendship, connection, and the relief that outdoor swimming brings. Even more, it’s been an act of selfcare, one that’s helping me live with chronic pain and feel more at home in my body.

I live with Fibromyalgia, a longterm pain condition that affects my muscles, joints and energy levels. For most of my twenties, it has shaped my life. It’s often made workdays harder, nights longer, and goals feel further out of reach. It’s considered an invisible illness, but it’s a persistent one.

Cold water doesn’t fix it. But it does give me a break.

Those first two minutes are always tough – the breathlessness, the stomach cramps that come out of nowhere, the sting in my hands and feet. Every single swim starts with a moment of doubt. But then my body settles. My breath evens out. The cold is still a shock, but it’s also a reset. It doesn’t cure anything, but it reminds me I’m still here, still moving, still capable.

I’m currently halfway through my challenge, and I’ve swum in 15 spots and counting. From the sands of Porthcurno, to the buzz of the Cotswold’s Lake 32 with friends, eating cake and tea out of the car boot. So far I’ve dipped across Devon, Cornwall, Suffolk, Kent, Wiltshire and Somerset; ranging from serene beaches to murky marine lakes on grey, drizzly mornings. I’ve discovered new favourite spots, like Sunny Sands beach in Folkestone, and Praa Sands in Cornwall. I’ve fallen further in love with marine lakes, trying out Weston Marine Lake, alongside returning to my personal favourite in Clevedon, where the sea gets tamed just enough to let you linger.

Outdoor swimming can be joyous, communal, and at times, quietly transformative. For me, it’s helped reclaim moments of accomplishment and peace. My 20s have been full of painful days in bed, doctors appointments, rescheduled plans, and learning how to rest (a skill I’m still working on). But this challenge has reminded me that my body isn’t broken. I’m still capable of doing tough things.

And I’m certainly not the only one. More and more young people, including those with chronic illness, are taking the plunge. When I visited Bristol’s Community Sauna based at the wonderful St Anne’s House, dozens of young people were filling the cold tubs and saunas. There are plenty of us out there finding solace in the sea, trading burnout for bracing swims, and sharing thermos flasks like unspoken rituals.

My love for cold water swimming kind of crept up on me. I first tagged along with my dad to a local lake, not really sure what I was letting myself in for, followed by a few years of swimming on and off across the seasons. I’m not a particularly ambitious swimmer, I couldn’t swim front crawl until my late teens, and even now, my technique is far from polished. But maybe that’s what drew me in.

With cold water swimming, you don’t need to be fast or competitive (although I know some people are). You just need to show up, preferably with a warm hat and a flask of tea. I wanted a hobby I could be gloriously average at – something to enjoy without obsessing over progress or personal bests. Something to just do, not perfect. Cold water swimming gave me just that, and my appreciation for it has only grown since starting my challenge.

With 15 swims to go, I’ve got a few local lidos on the list, including Shepton Mallet and Portishead, plus some nearby quarry swim spots and plenty more beaches. I’m especially looking forward to Aldeburgh beach, one of my all-time favourites, and I’ve got my final swim planned: a celebratory dip at Westward Ho! with friends, lots of dogs, and, inevitably, a pint and chips. I’ll be turning 30 on the 5th of July and, if all goes to plan, I’ll have 30 swims under my belt (and maybe even a decent swim tan).

It won’t stop there for me. Cold water has worked its way into my routine, my friendships, and my sense of self. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to stay out for long. Though I will be glad to hit my 30 swims and take a bit of a breather before getting married in September (although… there is a lake on site).