Rebels without a causeway enjoy Polar experience
Hardy swimmers from Fort William who braved the elements throughout the winter have been rewarded for their efforts.
Named the Rebel Swimmers, most of their swims are carried out in Loch Shiel and Loch Arkaig which both have connections to the ‘45 Rebellion, Irene MacLean, Jane Angus, Ishbel Murray, Susana Fernandez-Diaz, Gillian Hancox and Morag Hughes completed the Polar Bear Winter Swimming Challenge and received their certificates and badges at the beginning of this month.
The group are all NHS workers and, as well as achieving personal goals, were raising money for the Wee Harry Potter Bridge project (www.facebook.com/weeharrypotterbridge), while £400 from the entry fees was donated to Highland Wildlife Park.
To achieve the required levels, Penguin, Classic, Silver, Gold, Arctic and Jedi, swims had to be completed wearing just an ordinary swimsuit, cap and goggles and had to be swum in the sea, river, lake or unheated lido.
All six completed their respective challenges swimming more than the necessary number of metres.
Rebel’s founder Morag Hughes and Gillian Hancox completed the gold challenge the previous year and opted for the Jedi challenge this time around.
To achieve this the duo had a daunting list of 10 compulsory swims - 2,000 and 1,500 metres at nine degrees or under, 1,750 and 1,250m at eight degrees or under, 1,500 and 1,000m at seven or under, 1,250 and 750m at six or under and 1,000 and 450m at five degrees or under.
In addition, the ladies had to complete a 250 metre swim twice a month and 3,000 metres total distance each month.
Gillian has only been open water swimming since 2018 when Morag persuaded her to ‘give it a go’.
‘I loved it so much that when Morag discovered the Polar
Bear Facebook Challenge Winter 2018/2019 she asked would I like to join her,’ she told the Lochaber Times.
‘So I did and we swam all through the winter, the first time for both of us, from November to March.
‘Since then so many more wonderful and inspiring ladies have joined us and they love it too.’
Proud
Morag, who has 30 years of open water experience, added: ‘We are a small group with around 10 of us swimming in the winter and another 10 or so joining us in the summer. I’m so proud of all the achievements by our members.
‘Fortunately the weather was on our side as the first week in November saw the first snow on the hills and the water temperature in the lochs dropping.’
Irene, Jane, Ishbel and Susana completed the Gold challenge, which entails two 250 metre swims twice a month from November to March plus another 2,500m, making a total of 5,000m.
Irene, who only took to the sport in May last year, said: ‘I find that wading in to a freezing cold loch surrounded by the spectacular scenery of the Highlands provides tremendous stress relief and is a true leveller.’
Fellow newcomer Jane added: ‘There was a daunting apprehension of starting the challenge but we all took it one swim at a time. My highlight was swimming when snow was falling.
‘And the low point? Not been able to get my socks on fast enough after.
‘It’s much more than a physical challenge. It’s a mental challenge too, but the sense of well-being is amazing afterwards.’
Originally from Spain, Susana lived in England for 25 years before making the move north of the border last year. A consultant surgeon at the Belford Hospital she loves swimming outdoors but never thought she would be doing it in Scotland’s ‘freezing lochs’.
‘I’m Spanish after all,’ she added.
‘The challenge was amazing and I learned a lot, especially that you can do anything you set your will to do as long as you’ve got people with you.
‘We’ve supported each other and it has been the most amazing experience.’
A celebration swim planned for Loch Arkaig and the witches Pool (Caig Falls) will be held after the lockdown is lifted.