EDINBURGH
ISUSAN EGELSTAFF F there was ever any doubt about the hardiness of pro rugby players, an insight into Nic Groom’s personal life serves to confirm just how tough they are. One of Groom’s favourite pastimes away from the rugby pitch is to go wild water swimming. The South African was a fan of the open water in his homeland, but his love for the activity was severely tested when he moved from the sunny climes of Johannesburg to Edinburgh this summer.
For most mere mortals, the change of continent would be enough to put a stop to any dips in the sea but Groom has been undeterred.
“It’s something I try and do wherever I am so I’ve been for a few swims out in Edinburgh and up to Loch Lomond,” the scrum-half said.
“I’ve been swimming in Portobello and Cramond and up to the Trossachs. I’ve not been over the winter yet but I’m dying to go. We have some time off in a couple of months and I haven’t been any further up than [the Trossachs] so that’s something I’m really looking forward to doing.”
Growing up in South Africa, Groom was known more for being a swimmer but he ultimately chose rugby and after spending his early 20s playing for Western Province and Stormers in his homeland, he moved to Northampton Saints in 2016, where he spent two years.
A year playing for Lions preceded his move to Edinburgh and he has already made an impact on the field, with the capital club having made an impressive start to the season with their most recent result a win over Wasps in the Challenge Cup last weekend.
Groom’s influence has stretched to off-field too though, having persuaded a few of his team-mates of the benefits of immersing themselves in freezing cold water, although he has not persuaded any of them to go wild water swimming just yet.
“There are a few boys
I have talked into doing