The Joy of Swimming – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode Pat Kelman is joined by Coach and Therapist Clare Flaxen.

In this conversation we talk about the emotional benefits of cold water swimming, the joy of Parliament Hill Lido and Pond swimming.

• Clare Flaxen website
• Clare Flaxen on Instagram
• Clare Flaxen on Facebook

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Pat Kelman is joined by British marathon swimmer and world record holder Beth French and BAFTA nominated film maker Stefan Stuckert to discuss their film AGAINST THE TIDES.

Against the Tides is available on Demand from March 1st 2021 in the UK and the US. Details on www.againstthetidesfilm.com

The film documents Beth's attempt to swim across seven of the world's most dangerous sea channels - an extreme challenge called OCEANS SEVEN.

For open-sea swimmers it’s the ultimate test; very few people have ever completed it. But, driven by her desire to set an example for her autistic son and to overcome her life-long battle with ME (a.k.a. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), which forced her to spent long periods of her teenage years in a wheelchair, Beth aims to become the first person in history to swim all seven channels in one year. 

Traveling to far-flung corners of the world, she confronts hypothermia, sharks, jellyfish, wild weather and mind-numbing fatigue, as well as her own inner demons. 

But, as her dramatic journey nears its end, Beth’s yearning to conquer the open sea comes into heart-rending conflict with her dreams for her son. 

Film Trailer:

Film Website: http://www.againstthetidesfilm.com/

Facebook: Against the Tides

Twitter: Against the Tides

Instagram: Against the Tides

• Episode introduction [0:35]
• Film Trailer Audio [4:05]
• Interview Starts [5:49]
• Closing remarks [48:00]

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Katie Richards is a cold water swimmer based in Newquay, Cornwall. In this entertaining and informative conversation we discuss the growth of the activity in and around Cornwall, the community that has developed around it, swimminwimmin, and the benefits swimming in the sea brings her physically, mentally and emotionally.

Episode Topics

• Episode introduction [0.40]
• Why swimming? [4.20]
• Starting a Group of Swimmers [8.30]
• The energy of the group [13.44]
• Pat's first swim [16.40]
• The freedom of having few rules [20.00]
• The psychological and emotional benefits of sea swimming [23.00]
• Swimming for Charity [35.30]
• "The Twelve Bays of Christmas" [42.45]
• Katie's conclusion [51.25]
• Pat's Episode summing up [54.05]

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Swimminwimmin Instagram Page
• Twelve Bays of Christmas JustGiving Page
• Mental Health Swims
• Newquay RNLI

If you have enjoyed this episode, please:

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A preview of the new swimming podcast "The Joy of Swimming" hosted by Pat Kelman. The podcast is a series of conversations with open water and sea swimmers, capturing the atmosphere and the excitement of cold water swimming.

In this episode we hear extracts from 6 forthcoming episodes.

This episode explores finding unusual lake and river spaces for cold water swimming with Laura Godtschalk, from "landlocked Leicester".

In this conversation we talk about finding those unusual swimming spots and how to make sure you're swimming safely. We also take a detour into sea swimming with seals, and how in Australia seals are a great way to detect the presence of sharks!

We also hear this week's "Review of the Week"

• Episode introduction [0:45]
• How Laura got into Swimming [2:40]
• The draw of the water [4:20]
• Stanton Lake [7:00]
• Connecting with nature  [10:50]
• Finding somewhere safe to swim [12:50]
• That "cold whoosh" feeling [16:00]
• Water to help recover from injury [23:00]
• Floating [27:00]
• Seals and Sharks?! [30:30]
• Advice for Starting Out [34:45]
• Finding Laura [36:50]
• Closing remarks [37:45]

• Leicestershire DragonFly Open Water Swimmers
• Stoney Cove Facebook Page
• Stanton Lakes on Facebook
• Stanton Lakes
• The Install Company

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Subscribe, share and review this podcast to enter a competition to win one of five copies of Sarah Norquoy's beautiful memoir, "Salt on my Skin".  (ends Jan 31, 2021)

This episode explores community and body confidence with Lisa Monger and Jenny Bier of the Leigh on Sea Bluetits chill swimming group.

In this conversation we talk about the formation of the group, the philosophy behind the community and also have lots of fun talking about what it actually feels like to get into freezing cold water for pleasure.

• Episode introduction [0:45]
• Who are the Bluetits? [2:52]
• How Lisa got into Swimming [4:00]
• How Jenny got into Swimming [5:25]
• How it feels [6:30]
• The benefits of cold water sea swimming  [9:00]
• Body Confidence [11:05]
• Cold water and Resilience [14:40]
• Rituals [24:00]
• Finding Jenny and Lisa [37:10]
• Closing remarks [37:55]

• Bluetits Chill Swimmers website
• The Leigh on Sea Bluetits on Facebook

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Subscribe, share and review this podcast to enter a competition to win one of five copies of Sarah Norquoy's beautiful memoir, "Salt on my Skin".  (ends Jan 31, 2021)

This episode is positively bursting with swimming goodness. Pat Kelman is joined by Pauline Barker, known as Mama Bear to her numerous UK Facebook tribes, who is the creator of the hugely popular Polar Bear Challenge.

In this conversation she talks about long distance cold water swimming, the origins of the challenge, the amazing communities she has created online and also shares invaluable tips on staying safe and enjoying cold water swimming all the year round.

We also have our regular Review of the Week slot.

• Episode introduction [0:45]
• Review of the Week [2:00]
• Pauline's start in cold water swimming [3:35]
• First experience in cold water [7:10]
• Siberia at -10 degrees [9:50]
• Pressing the Reset button [12:00]
• The Polar Bear Challenge  [14:00]
• Swimming as relaxation [22:20]
• Safety and Newcomer advice [25:30]
• The popularity explosion [31:55]
• Finding Pauline [33.10]
• Closing remarks [34:00]

• The Polar Bear Challenges website
• Polar Bear Challenges on Instagram
• Pauline Barker website
• Polar Bear Challenge on Facebook

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Subscribe, share and review this podcast to enter a competition to win one of five copies of Sarah Norquoy's beautiful memoir, "Salt on my Skin".  (ends Jan 31, 2021)

In this inspirational and exciting episode Pat Kelman is joined by Business Coach and cross-channel swimmer Claire Brumby. During a far-ranging conversation they talk about confidence, breaking out of comfort zones, swimming in a relay team from Dover to Calais, and Pat comes to terms with allowing listeners to hear more of "him" in the conversations.

We also hear a letter from a listener in Minnesota and our Review of the Week.

• Episode introduction [0:45]
• Listener's Letters [2:45]
• Review of the Week [4.55]
• Claire's start in cold water swimming [5.50]
• First experience out of a wetsuit [9:20]
• Getting out of our comfort zones [17:50]
• Pat's podcast "existential crisis"[20:20]
• Recapturing the feelings  [25:25]
• Swimming the Channel [28:00]
• What the experience has done for Claire [38:35]
• Contacting Claire [43:00]

• Claire Brumby website
• Claire Brumby on Instagram

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Subscribe, share and review this podcast to enter a competition to win one of five copies of Sarah Norquoy's beautiful memoir, "Salt on my Skin".  (ends Jan 31, 2021)

In this powerful and moving episode Pat Kelman is joined by Imogen Tinkler from Whitstable Blue Tits. During a far-ranging conversation they talk about travel, Imogen's swimming experiences, and also how her relationship with the water helped her deal with the loss of her daughter.

• Episode introduction [0:45]
• Welcome to Imogen [2:50]
• Swimming after Essex nightclubs [8:30]
• Swimming when a Camp Counselor [10:00]
• Swimming's role in her life now [10:45]
• Grieving  [13:20]
• Safety Lesson from Father [16:20]
• Essex ladies [17:00]
• Whitstable Bluetits[22:30]
• Tips for new swimmers [28:40]
• Contacting Imogen [35:00]

• Whitstable Bluetits
• Bangers and Balls
• Girls Gone Wild Swimming

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Subscribe, share and review this podcast to enter a competition to win one of five copies of Sarah Norquoy's beautiful memoir, "Salt on my Skin".  (ends Jan 31, 2021)

A double interview episode featuring conversations with Sharky Sian, organiser of the Cornwall OWLS group, and with Kathy King from Wild Wonder and Wisdom.

Recorded on location at Porthpean Beach in Cornwall, the conversations cover community building, using swimming to cope with illness, the Polar Bear Challenge, and using open water swimming as a component of working with young people.

• Episode introduction [0:45]
• Sharky Sian and Cornwall OWLS [2:40]
• Sian's inspiration [3:40]
• Physical Benefits [5:30]
• Emotional Benefits [10:50]
• Preparing for the Polar Bear Challenge [12:20]
• Advice for New Swimmers [20:10]
• Kathy King [26:00]
• The Wildness Weekend [26:30]
• Wild Wonder and Wisdom [27:00]
• How Kathy started swimming [32:40]
• Kathy's favourite swims [38:00]

• Cornwall OWLS Facebook group
• Sharky Sian website
• The Wildness Weekend website
• Wild Wonder and Wisdom website

• Subscribe to the podcast
• Sign up for my newsletter
• Join the Joy of Swimming Discussion Group

Subscribe, share and review this podcast to enter a competition to win one of five copies of Sarah Norquoy's beautiful memoir, "Salt on my Skin".  (ends Jan 31, 2021)