A lovely article about how swimming in the sea helps people cope. Greg Martin interviewed me in late November 2020. I didn’t swim in the sea until I was in my 30s (I was scared of fish)! Now I swim in the sea most days. If I don’t the day is more of a struggle. This article was written a few weeks ago.
“ I started regular sea swimming at the start of lockdown 2. I find exercise with a bit of a community feel really helps my mental health.”I love RS Fitness gym in Newlyn, but since it was closed I decided to try something new. I’ve always loved sea swimming and find just being near the sea very therapeutic. I thought winter sea swimming would be too ‘hardcore’ but in lockdown 2, sea swimming was clearly the new sourdough!”After seeing so many folk in the water around Penzance, and with a bit of nagging from my lovely neighbour, Beccy, we both decided to give it a go. We are both addicted to it now!”Jumping in the sea is like pressing a reset button in my head. If I’m grumpy, overwhelmed or tired, getting in the sea just makes me zing. It takes me straight into the present moment where my mind is totally focused on just being in the water.”The sounds, the colours, the sparkles, the sounds of chat and laughter around as we all challenge and support each other. Each of us facing our own battles and being held by the gentle spirit of cold, salty water. I really notice the lack of this zing if I don’t swim – it sets me up for the day.”(Image: Greg Martin / Cornwall Live)12 of 19
“The sense of community, of finding my tribe, has been such an unexpected gift. The sea is no place for airs and graces- just refreshing reality. Many of us are trying to keep our heads together and, literally, above water.”My personal battle is with life itself and the huge grief that I will always have to live with.”I struggle with mental health issues and so did my son.”Ben was so strong and I’m incredibly proud of him. Tragically he lost his battle.”Ben was my only child and was just 23 when he died in October 2019. Ben lived in Brighton for the last year of his short life. He swam in the sea regularly. I feel closest to him when I’m in the sea.”Being a tiny part of a vast, seemly endless, ocean makes me feel that maybe he’s not so far away. I never thought I’d ever be 100% happy again. But in the sea I have been – for a few precious moments.”
Ben also liked swimming in the sea when he lived in Brighton. One of his key workers sent me a lovely memory which mentions this. I can just picture his hair!
The one about the seagull you already know, and the time he set off the fire extinguisher. I’m sure I could remember some other stories too… I only found out about the longboarding down devils dyke because Ben came to our appointment with his arm in a makeshift sling made from an old T-shirt. I remember he wasn’t that keen on seeing me at that point in time so I’d always offer to make him a cup of coffee and every time he said “cor, yes please!” like he was gasping for a coffee. He barely sat down for a minute before he finished the coffee, started rolling a fag, placed it in his mouth and got up and paced round the room waiting for me to finish talking to him.
He was always excited about something. One day it would have been going to a festival with his sister, the next it would be some good honest labour he had planned. Anyway on that day he was telling me how useless the A&E was (hence the makeshift sling) he asked me if he could have a sick note for his work because the arm hurt but it looked okay and I remember Dan was suspicious that Ben hadn’t hurt his arm at all. I watched him leave on his bike with his arm in a sling wobbling down the driveway towards the beach. His hair was always wild and salty at that time because he was bathing in the sea every day.
Whenever I think about Ben I’m always tempted to play a game he introduced me to, “Polytopia” a “good old turn based strategy. Very difficult Neil” I might have a game later this evening and see if I can think up any more stories.
The house next door has seagulls nesting in the chimney, the racket they make! Anyway they have affectionately been named Bert and Ethel and there’s a young chick that’s fledging. I often think of Ben and his seagull while sitting outside with them.
I really enjoy reading about your sea swimming. I saw a tv programme about cold water swimming and mental health a few years ago, which concluded that it really helped. Also, Chris Evans loves a few cold minutes at the end of his shower in the mornings too….says it really makes him feel great mentally. What I loved reading most of all it that you have found “your tribe” . Just brilliant Anna xx