New Q&A with Lauren Rickson, Swim Coast and Calm
Lauren Rickson - Swim Coast and Calm
For those of you who live in the Brighton area, you may already be familiar with sea swimmer, STA Level 2 Open Water Coach and RLSS qualified lifeguard Lauren Rickson swimming and coaching on your local beaches.
Lauren has swum all her life and was a lifeguard for many years but her open water journey actually started when she was participating in triathlons. She soon realized that she didn't actually like the bike or running part and that swimming was much more fun! She then started swimming regularly in the sea and got totally addicted!
She runs Swim Coast and Calm which and provides coaching to help you improve your stroke, develop confidence and reach your goals, whether you're training for an event or just want to explore and enjoy the open water.
We’ve loved putting together Lauren’s Q&A in which we hear about her channel relay swim, her advice on sea swimming and safety and possibly one of the greatest swimming quotes ever…'When you're in the ocean, you're connected to the entire world!' We can guarantee that if you didn’t want to try swimming in the sea before then you will after reading this.
A truly inspirational wild Swimming Woman, we hope you enjoy Lauren’s Q&A as much as we do.
Tell us a wee bit about yourself?
I’m 31 and have grown up and lived all my life in Brighton, UK! I have two lovely boys (3&4) and love swimming, horses and eating and drinking good food and wine!
Where do you usually swim?
I live in Brighton so I'm usually found on the beaches there. When the weather is bad I love swimming at the local harbour in Shoreham.
When/why did you start swimming in the sea/outdoors?
I've swum all my life and was a lifeguard for many years but my open water journey actually started as I was participating in triathlons. I soon realized I didn't actually like the bike or running part and that swimming was much more fun! I then started swimming regularly in the sea and got totally addicted!
What do you love most about swimming in the sea?
You feel free. Away from the stresses of everyday life and away from the rat race! Whether you're swimming for fitness or just well being it caters for everyone!
I met a man on the beach once who said to me 'When you're in the ocean, you're connected to the entire world!' and that has really stuck with me. I feel connected to I nature on a higher level.
What piece of swimming kit could you not do without?
My cskins tow float! I'm all about safety and it means I can take my phone out and be seen in the water. I feel naked with out it!
Who’s your favourite person to swim with?
I don't think I could pick one person!
I love swimming with all different people for different reasons but especially my channel relay team. We really push each other to be better swimmers and I love that.
I enjoy dipping friends and family too, I love going to have a float in the water and a good old chin wag and catch up and cup of tea after, that has been so lovely during the pandemic!
What has been your favourite ever swim/where is your favourite place to swim?
Good question! Fave place to swim (although maybe a boring answer) has to be my home town Brighton. A sunset or sunrise swim and you just can't beat it!
Gili Trangawan in Indonesia was a pretty special swimming experience and also a visit to Venice beach (LA) to swim (I had a serious Baywatch obsession as a kid ha ha!). I also have some really lovely memories swimming alot in Majorca as a child. The beaches are beautiful there.
Least fave has to be training in Dover Harbour, I soon realised a yellow costume was not a good choice !
Where would you most like to swim?
My dream would be to swim in all the spots in Hawaii, I've always dreamed of going there and hope to get there one day!!
I'm also desperate to get to the Outer Hebrides. It looks so unreal, I'll definitely be planning a trip there at some point!
Who would you most like to swim with?
Sarah Thomas would be my number 1. I would have SO many questions to ask I don't think a lot of swimming would happen! She is a true inspiration for me, I can't even process how she swam for 54 hours, 4 times across the English channel. MIND BLOWING!
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about trying sea swimming/swimming outdoors?
Go for it, you won't regret it and you will get addicted! Always consider the safety factors first and book a session with a coach to get you started. There are so many groups out there now which is amazing so do your research and 'find your tribe'.
You’ve done a channel relay, tell us about it and what your next swimming challenge will be?
My team and I are actually having a second attempt this year so that is the next challenge! We got around two miles from the French coast and had to turn around due to an unexpected weather front that came in and created impossible swimming conditions- we were gutted!
It was such an amazing experience, tough but I'm excited to go again. The toughest part for me was actually dealing with sea sickness, so I'm fully prepared for that next time. The night swim was a little scary, but I just had to get my head down and focus on getting into a flow. You can't wear a wetsuit so the cold is interesting at times!! A moment I won't forget was when a pod of porpoises were swimming under the boat and checking us out, it was pretty magical!
If you're thinking of doing it I would absolutely say go for it. I have met some amazing people and now life long friends along the way. Aspire charity are also a fab charity to do it for and are great ambassadors for open water swimming. Check them out!
I’m also thinking about an ice swim at some point too but I haven't mentioned that one to my husband yet!
Tell us about swim coast and calm?
Swim Coast and Calm came about as I had so many people asking me about swimming in the sea, but they had no idea where to start, especially when it came to sea safety! I was taking friends and family out and absolutely loved getting people to access this amazing place we had right in our doorstep.
When the pandemic hit I had some of my hours cut at work, so I decided to go and get my qualifications so I could properly start up Swim Coast and Calm. I'm now running a variety of groups and private coaching sessions, including intros to open water swimming, beginner and intermediate front crawlers, swim for well being and open water fitness classes too!
What do you enjoy most about it?
After every session I come away with such a buzz. There is nothing better than getting people out safely in the water and sharing a passion. I also love the sense of community and seeing more and more people access the open water. I can't wait for this summer!
What would you say to anyone who would like to swim in the sea but is scared of what’s in there?
99% of the time what is under us in the open water is harmless and not going to come up and visit you. A nice thing to do is take a walk on the beach at a super low tide and see what's beneath you...mainly just sand and it will be the same when you're swimming!
Also start swimming when its low tide so you can stand in case you get nervous and then water isn't too deep until you get used to it. I'm certainly more scared of what's in lakes/lochs and rivers, but I guess it's just what we are used to! Small and frequent visits will help build confidence!
What safety issues do swimmers need to consider when swimming in the sea?
Always check the tides and conditions of the sea before you go. The Magic Seaweed App is great for that and if in doubt don't go out! Learn about your local area and the topography of that particular beach. Be prepared with he correct equipment (bright hat, tow float, wetsuit etc) and if you don't have a buddy then let someone know you're heading out and take a mobile phone. Most of all, enjoy!
To find out more about Swim Coast and Calm, visit:
https://swimcoastandcalm.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/swimcoastandcalm/
https://www.instagram.com/swimcoastandcalm/?hl=en