16
Mar
Swim The Wight Chilly Dipping March
Swim the Wight is a social enterprise that has been set up offering swimming experiences on the Isle of Wight. Profits will go to support those with mental and physical disabilities, health conditions or other disadvantage, to get into the sea and access the beaches around the Island.As the past year has been incredibly difficult for all charities, they have decided to raise money for Swim The Wight and also offer support to Mountbatten IW, which is close to their hearts, in what will be the first Swim The Wight Chilly Dipping event.
Chilly Dipping March
Throughout March we are asking people to raise money for Mountbatten IW by immersing themselves in the sea, an ice bath or even by taking a cold shower either once or on a regular basis and to be sponsored to do so or to simply donate. If you don’t know anyone who enjoys the delights of cold water at this time of year and you would like to donate in memory of someone special then you are also welcome to do so.We have set up a Go Fund Me page: gofundme.com/f/chilly-dipping-marchand you are welcome to join our fundraising team – The more the merrier!March 8this International Women’s Day, so we will be swimming in memory of those women who have inspired us and celebrating the glorious intergenerational sisterhood that exists amongst outdoor swimmers.
Supporting those with disabilities, health conditions and other disadvantages to get into the sea, is not something they can do on their own, so they welcome support in any form you can give. Whether you can offer specialist skills, financial backing or would like to discuss any ideas with them, please get in touch.
The website has information on the types of equipment they need including matting and beach wheelchairs, wetsuits, swimming gloves and boots – the list is seemingly endless! They will be guided by the people we seek to help rather than buying what they think is needed so they are also asking anyone who would like to access the beach and sea, whattheyneed to be able to do so (email [email protected])
“Sandy and I have been sea swimming, all year round, for a number of years on the island and Swim The Wight seemed to be a natural progression to encourage more people to enjoy the benefits of ‘blue health.’ As an oceanographer, I am passionate about the sea and marine environment I am also an Open Water Swimming Coach and an STA (Swimming Teachers’ Association) Brand Ambassador. Our hope is to help and encourage those who may find the beach and sea a daunting place but who could benefit the most, with a little help and encouragement.” Victoria Thorneton-Field Founder of Swim The Wight CIC.
To help fund our endeavour we are offering our first “Six swim Experience”for those wanting to explore the Island over 3 days. They will visit different beaches, swim and relax together and take in the natural beauty of some of the most picturesque parts of the Island’s coastline. Participants will need to be competent swimmers but not Olympians! Please see the website for further details.
Swim the Wight was set up at the end of 2020.“We were waiting for the Lockdown to end before launching the business, but we have been encouraged by various people to put on a fundraising event and so we decided to jump in (literally) and start raising money now through Chilly Dipping March” Sandy Ciccognani, Co-Founder of Swim the Wight.
Open water swimming has experienced a real boom this year. Sandy Ciccognani, who also set up the online Outdoor Swimming group on Facebook, is keen to encourage more people to take up open water swimming.
“This is not the ideal time of year to start open water swimming, so we are calling on those who already have some experience to swim and encouraging others to take a cold dip in the relative comfort of their own homes. Please make sure you know what you are doing and don’t put yourself or anyone else in danger. We would encourage those who want to start sea swimming, to wait a few more weeks and then get in touch with an experienced coach or swimming group. There is a fantastic, supportive community of sea swimmers on the Island, so you don’t need to do it alone. As soon as guidelines allow, we will be promoting group swims across the Island.”
If you have any questions or would like to know more about how to help people take advantage of Blue Health, please do email [email protected]
