Two Friends, One Bristol Channel, One Extraordinary Achievement
Swimming past Flat Holm island
On 26 August, fourteen-year-olds Susy and Izzy achieved something truly remarkable. As part of The Big Swim, they completed a Bristol Channel crossing from Penarth to Clevedon, demonstrating determination, resilience and friendship far beyond their years. Subject to ratification by the Bristol Channel Swimming Association (BCSA), Susy and Izzy are likely to become the youngest people ever to swim the Bristol Channel. That achievement is extraordinary in itself, but the true story of this swim is about far more than records.
Getting ready to return to Penarth from Clevedon - swim complete
The Bristol Channel is one of Britain's most challenging marathon swims. Strong tides, changing conditions and many hours in open water make it a serious test for even experienced swimmers, they swam 29.92km in total. For Susy and Izzy, however, this challenge was the culmination of months of training and 2 years of dedication. Despite their young age, both swimmers arrived at the start with an impressive list of achievements already behind them. Together they had completed an English Channel relay, the Jurassic Coast Marathon Swim from Lyme Regis to Beer, another from Lyme Regis to Westbay, and a Glenholm to Porthcawl record breaking 3 person relay the preceding month. Countless training hours throughout the winter, spring and summer had prepared them physically for the challenge ahead, but just as importantly, those hours had forged an exceptional friendship.
In the lead up to the swim, both girls faced significant setbacks. They had suffered illness in the weeks before the crossing which warranted medical examination, most likely linked to exposure to contaminated water during training. It was a stark reminder of the water quality issues that The Big Swim seeks to highlight. As coach, I had genuine concerns. Both swimmers had lost weight, and lost valuable training time. However, neither of them entertained the idea of stepping back from the challenge. Their determination never wavered and thankfully their recovery was quick.
At 11.00 am on 26 August, under calm skies and favourable conditions, they entered the water at Penarth slipway and began their journey across the Channel. Over the next six and a half hours, they swam steadily towards the Somerset coast. As with all marathon swims, there were moments of doubt, discomfort and fatigue. Izzy, as she often had during training, appeared nervous in the early stages. Susy, meanwhile, faced her own challenge. Throughout the swim, she was repeatedly sick, something that had become an unfortunate feature of many of her longer training swims during the previous four months. Yet she never allowed it to affect her determination. With Izzy's support and patience, time and again she recovered, they both settled back into their rhythm and continued swimming strongly.
Swimming to the end at Clevedon, Somerset.
Watching from the pilot boat, I was struck not only by their physical strength but also by their mental resilience. Hour after hour, they kept moving forwards. Neither girl was prepared to let the other down. As the Welsh coastline receded behind them and Clevedon drew ever closer, it became increasingly clear that they were on the verge of something special. The most memorable moment, however, came right at the end. After more than six hours in the water, both swimmers were physically and mentally exhausted. The finish was only metres away. They could have exited the water together hand in hand and thus Susy claim the record for herself. Instead, Susy paused. She allowed Izzy to leave the water first waiting 10 seconds before exiting herself. Afterwards, I asked her why. Her answer perfectly captured the character both had shown throughout the swim: "Izzy is older than me, she's my best friend and I wanted her to be a record holder too." If the swim is ratified as expected, Izzy may have held the record as the youngest person ever to swim the Bristol Channel for only a few seconds before Susy became the new youngest swimmer herself. Izzy can therefore also claim to have once held the record whilst holding the record for 'the shortest held record' in Bristol Channel Swimming Association history.
In a sport often associated with individual achievement, it was an act of remarkable generosity and friendship. The crossing was completed at Clevedon in an unofficial time of 6 hours 28 minutes. For me, however, the lasting memory will not be the time, the distance or even the potential records. It will be the sight of two young swimmers supporting one another every step of the way. Their success is a testament to hard work, perseverance and courage. It is also a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when friendship and teamwork sit at the heart of a challenge. Whatever the outcome of the ratification process, Susy and Izzy have already achieved something extraordinary. They have embodied everything that The Big Swim stands for: adventure, resilience, ambition, friendship and a passion for Long Distance swimming.