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Women swimming in the wild

An open water swimmer from South Africa meets the founder of a mental health charity from the UK to talk about how immersing themselves in cold water changed their lives.

Nora Fakim talks to two women about the health benefits of swimming in the wild.

Rachel Ashe is the founder of Mental Health Swims, a peer support community organising wild swimming or dipping events in the UK. Rachel first tried cold water swimming in 2019, shortly after being diagnosed with mental health conditions, and during the pandemic she went from organising a monthly gathering at her local beach in Wales to running a social enterprise with over 80 groups across the country.

Ilse Theys Woodward is an open water swimmer, a nurse, a swimming instructor and a lifeguard. She鈥檚 based in Cape Town, South Africa and she has recently taken part in the Freedom Swim, one of the world鈥檚 toughest cold water sea swim races. She鈥檚 also a member of the Phoenix Open Water Swimming (POWS), a swimming club working with underprivileged youths in Cape Town.

Produced by Alice Gioia

(Image: (L) Ilse Theys Woodward, credit Ilse Theys Woodward. (R) Rachel Ashe, credit Laura Minns)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Sat 4 Dec 2021 08:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 29 Nov 2021 04:32GMT
  • Mon 29 Nov 2021 05:32GMT
  • Mon 29 Nov 2021 11:32GMT
  • Mon 29 Nov 2021 21:32GMT
  • Mon 29 Nov 2021 23:32GMT
  • Sat 4 Dec 2021 08:32GMT

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