She Only Agreed to One Dip a Month…
- Mark Holmes
- 1 minute ago
- 4 min read
How Amy Went From a New Year’s Dip to Her First 1km Open Water Event
It was supposed to be a one-off.
In 2021, Amy took part in the New Year Loony Dook. Then her husband suggested they should have a swim, dook or dip every week.
“Eh, no!” 😂
After some negotiation, once a month was agreed.
It didn't quite go to plan.
By February, Amy was completely hooked.
One dip turned into regular swims, and before long she was looking for a new challenge. In 2022, Amy took part in her first organised 1km open water swimming event.
For anyone who has ever stood at the edge of the water wondering whether they could take on an event, Amy's story will probably sound familiar. You don't necessarily start out with a big plan. Sometimes you just get in, enjoy it and see where it takes you.
From Dipping to Taking on a Challenge
There are plenty of reasons to give an open water swimming event a go.
For some swimmers, having an event in the diary gives their regular swims a bit more purpose. It gives you something to train for and a distance to work towards.
For others, it's about doing something that feels slightly outside their comfort zone.
And then there's the atmosphere.
The nerves before the start, the excitement of getting into the water with a group of other swimmers, and the conversations before and after the swim all add to the experience.
It can be just as much a social occasion as a swimming challenge.
There are open water events all over the UK, with distances to suit different abilities. You don't need to be the fastest swimmer on the start line, and your first event doesn't have to be a huge distance.
Choosing a shorter distance can be a great way to find out whether events are for you.
For many swimmers, the event itself becomes something to look forward to — a reason to keep swimming, a chance to meet other swimmers and an opportunity to see what you can achieve.
And if Amy's experience is anything to go by, you might enjoy it more than you expect.
Ready to Take on Your First Event?
If you're thinking about moving from regular wild swimming to your first organised event, you don't have to figure it all out yourself.
At Coldingham Brave Bayers, we offer open water swimming coaching to help swimmers build confidence, improve their technique and work towards their own goals.
Amy is also one of our STA-qualified coaches, so she knows both sides of the story — what it feels like to take on a new challenge, and how to help other swimmers build their confidence in the water.
Our coaches are all STA qualified and bring their own experience and knowledge to our sessions.
Coaching isn't about turning everyone into a competitive swimmer. It's about helping you feel more comfortable and capable in open water, whether you're preparing for your first event, working on your technique or simply wanting to get more from your swimming.
If you've been thinking about entering an event but aren't quite sure where to start, coaching could be a good place to begin.
And now, over to Amy...
Meet Amy
🏊♀️ How did you get into wild swimming?
I did the New Year Loony Dook in 2021 and hubby decided we should have a swim/dook/dip every week.
Eh, no! 😂
He managed to negotiate once a month… but by February I was completely hooked!
🌊 What made you want to take part in events?
I wanted to have a goal to work towards and push myself outside my comfort zone.
I completed my first 1km swim event in 2022.
💚 What do you enjoy about events?
The support, the pre-event nerves and excitement, the training, the camaraderie and, most of all, that amazing sense of achievement, no matter how well the swim goes.
🙌 What’s it actually like taking part?
Really enjoyable and social, while also being very well organised, with all the safety aspects covered.
✨ Is it worth it?
100% YES! 🙌
💡 What tips would you give someone thinking about their first event?
Do it!
Go for the shortest distance and see how you get on and how you feel. Most importantly, enjoy it.
It doesn't matter whether you swim front crawl, breaststroke or doggy paddle, just get in and have a go!
📸 Favourite memories, lessons learned or funny moments?
Jumping off the pontoon after my very first 1km event at St Mary's Loch, such fun! 🤩
And one very important lesson…
Don't eat a heavy meal the night before! 😂
Could Your Next Swim Be an Event?
Amy's journey shows how easily one swim can turn into something more.
A New Year's Day dip became a monthly swim. The monthly swims became a regular part of life. Then came the decision to set a goal and step outside her comfort zone with a 1km event.
You don't have to know where your open water swimming journey is going to take you when you start.
Your first event might be a short distance. You might be nervous beforehand. You might even surprise yourself with how much you enjoy it.
And you don't need to worry about how you swim.
As Amy says:
“It doesn't matter whether you swim front crawl, breaststroke or doggy paddle, just get in and have a go!”
That's probably the best advice we could give.
Find an event, choose a distance that feels right for you and give it a go.
Just remember Amy's other piece of advice…
Don't eat a heavy meal the night before! 😂
