Name: Alicia Walls
Age: 16
Discipline: Open Water & Swimming
Brief Blog: I started swimming for Kingsfishers Swimming Club, Scarborough in 2015 and moved up the ranks in the club till covid hit and I couldn’t go to the pool like many others. In the process of being able to use the pool I started open water swimming trying to improve my stamina and to try something new with my friends. In 2022 I was given the opportunity to swim Loch Ness as part of a relay team but narrowly missed due to a serious accident and taking several months of rehabilitation. I knew that I had to try and come back stronger than ever. In April 2023 I was given another opportunity of swimming as part of a relay team but this time covering the 21.6 miles of Loch Lomond at the end of August 2023. With juggling the stress of GCSE’s and training I made sure I put 100% as both aspects in my life meant very much to me. My training consisted of reducing my pool swimming from 4 to 3 sessions per week so I can include 1 session of open water. When training in my local lake, I was covering 2 ½ miles per hour and knowing I had to push this pace to cover more distance in my 1-hour slots in the relay. Open Water swimming has improved my stamina in the pool.
The event was organised by the British Long Distance Swimming Association (BLDSA) and was a night swim which we started at 7pm. Loch Lomond has been swum many times by relay teams but was the 1st event to be swum abiding by Channel rules (just a hat and swimming costume, swimming order must be maintained – no one can drop out). The relay team were 4 female open water swimmers aged between the age of 15 and 55, with me been the youngest.
The day of the event came, and I was well prepared for what I was about to undertake. I was the first person to start the relay swimming for my hour before the next swimmer took over. In between my three-hour rest period I would make sure that I had replenished my body with all the correct nutrients and maybe a cheeky hot chocolate. On the boat we ensure that the mood was always positive and encouraging the swimmer that was in the water. Near the ending of our swim our mood was lifted by turning up the music and getting the name of the “Party Boat.” Overall, our swim was completed in 11 hours 54 minutes and 22 seconds. It was an incredible experience and a moment that I will cherish forever. Without the support of the other Swimmers and my Coach as well as the fantastic boat crew, we are already looking forward to the next challenge what ever that may be.
Young volunteers wanting to learn more aquatic skills to develop themselves should consider the various opportunities that are available to them. These are available to view by clicking here.
