Whether you're taking on this challenge to raise much needed funds for Diabetes UK, get healthier, spend more time in the pool or simply to be a part of an amazing community, we have everything you need for a successful swimming challenge.
I signed up as I wanted to take on a fitness challenge. It was a fitness challenge at the start, then I focused a lot on fundraising (Archie was our top fundraiser in 2020 and raised over £3,000!). My first swim I swum 8 lengths, next I swum 20 lengths, then 40 lengths, then a mile and it kept going up from there.
I learnt that it is mind over matter and if you don’t give up you can get it done. I’ve never been an athlete and I’ve never been good at swimming.
I enjoyed the routine – I would go swimming every day before work at 6.30 for an hour. I had put time in for me and accomplished something before work and could get on with my day. That habit has stuck with me. I got addicted to the peace and quiet, and the conscious routine.
I'm 20 stone now. I was 25 stone. My diabetes is more under control and that's brilliant. But my physical health, the knock on side effects of that, and the reduction in anxiety and the self-confidence and sense of self worth that comes with it is, is huge.
I have gained so much – a sense of purpose, self-respect. And importantly, my diabetes is mostly under control. I still swim – it’s part of who I am now.
I still have an incredibly intense job, but now I can deal with it. I've got a coping mechanism. My anxiety levels have gone from probably being 9 out of 10 to being a one out of 10, so it has helped my mental health a lot.
My dad was always my biggest supporter growing up. I used to be a baton twirler growing up and even represented the England team – he would travel absolutely everywhere with me and never let me down.
He was very unwell when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and he struggled quite a bit however he received a lot of support. It’s a condition that can affect someone greatly, both physically and mentally – I wish others could understand that some people suffer in silence, and what you see at face value doesn’t always show the struggles underneath the surface. When I first signed up for Swim22, I knew I wanted to do something for him to be proud of – that gave me the motivation to keep going and never give up.
I really enjoyed doing the challenge. I wasn’t a swimmer at all previously – I would have swum 10 lengths and then had to stop. Fast forward now a couple of years and I’m swimming for an hour non-stop! I might not be the fastest, but I will never give up. My friends, family and partner have always supported me with this challenge, helping me keep on track. I’ve found it so good for my mind as it really helps me switch off.
If I had to sum it all up in three words, I would say it is enjoyable, rewarding and motivating! I found last year that extra movement resulted in me losing weight during the challenge – doing this alongside Slimming World was a perfect match for me. I’d recommend anyone to take on Swim22. There’s no pressure and even if you start off at the lowest length, you will really enjoy it!
I really wanted to take on this challenge for Diabetes UK as, from when I was diagnosed at the age of two, my parents used to run diabetes meetings in our local hospital and hold collection days in different towns. I thought about how I hadn’t done anything myself to raise funds, and now was the time to push myself out of my comfort zone with a physical challenge – one where I had no idea whether I could complete it or not.
I found the challenge enjoyable, despite picking up a few injuries along the way which made the last few miles trickier. Diabetes UK was great at sending out swim information, ways to prepare, different techniques, etc. I’m very lucky I had a great support network to join me on my swims, especially looking out for me in case I had low blood sugar levels when swimming.
I’d definitely recommend others to consider Swim22 – 12 weeks of swimming can have a massive impact on your health and can easily become part of your daily routine. I would advise not doing too much too soon – start increasing your distance slowly and get your technique down to help avoid any injuries.
I have identical twins – Olly and Noah. When they were just three years old, Noah started showing signs of type 1 diabetes and was diagnosed shortly after his fourth birthday. This was so hard at first, coming to terms with our child’s life-long diagnosis and little Noah needing injections numerous times a day.
Looking after type 1 diabetes is a full-time job in itself and sometimes it can be really tough – but that drives us all the more to help raise money for diabetes research to hopefully one day find a cure. I honestly loved the Swim22 challenge! I found it exciting, relaxing and time for me to focus on no one else but Noah and his daily challenges. My fitness improved greatly throughout, and I found myself challenging myself to get a little faster than my previous swim.
Halfway through my Swim22 challenge, I received news that Olly had autoantibodies showing that he may potentially develop type 1 diabetes in the future. This was discovered through the ELSA research study, supported by Diabetes UK and Breakthrough T1D. Of course this spurred my motivation.
Meet your fellow swimmers, ask questions, read their stories, connect with your incredible community. You'll also find top tips and support from the Swim22 team.
Want to know more about the challenge? Check out our event information and Frequently Asked Questions page.
To help make every swim count, we’ve put together a number of helpful resources like a sponsorship form and social media posts.
Alongside the rewarding feeling that comes with taking regular swimming for your health, we have a number of swim-tastic rewards for you to earn as you tick off fundraising milestones.
