Henley Swim to repeat ‘This Girl Can’ offer of free places in the Henley Mile

Event organiser Henley Swim has just announced that it will again be offering a number of free places in the Henley Mile or Half Mile to women over the age of 16 who have never swum in an open water event before. The initiative is inspired by last year’s successful ‘This Girl Can’ campaign by Sport England.

The event takes place on Sunday 10 July at the same time and place as H2Open’s Open Water Swimming Show. All participants in the swim (and their families or supporters) also get free entry to the show, which combines the chance to view and test the latest kit and hear from a series of expert speakers.

In 2015, five women took up the challenge of the mile and a further two completed the half. One of the swimmers, Claire Bennett, was so inspired she’s now contemplating one of swimming’s biggest challenges.

“The This Girl Can Henley Mile was such an amazing experience for me. I’m not exaggerating when I say that it has changed my life. I had so many fears and insecurities about open water swimming (and just swimming in general) but the support that I received was amazing.  I am now swimming a 10K in September this year and I’m swimming better than I have ever swum in my life.  After the 10K, I want to find more and more challenging swims and I’m even starting to have conversation in my head about one day swimming the Channel.  To anyone thinking of doing it, please don’t hesitate. You won’t ever look back.”
If you, or someone you know, is interested in becoming one of Henley Swim’s This Girl Can swimmers in 2016, see the entry form at www.henleyswim.com/this-girl-can
For more information about the Open Water Swimming Show, including the “Beginners’ Experience” see: www.openwatershow.com