Two sisters from Purton are braving freezing temperatures every day this January as part of their preparation to swim the English Channel in a relay team later this year.
Imogen and Matilda Meers are taking on a “dip-a-day” challenge with their teammates, committing to daily cold-water exposure throughout the month. Their training has included cold showers, lake swimming, snow angels and even being hosed down in winter conditions.
The sisters are preparing to take part in an English Channel relay swim this summer in aid of SwimTayka, a UK-based charity that teaches children in waterside communities how to swim and stay safe. The charity works internationally in countries including Brazil, Peru and Bali, providing free swimming lessons to children with little or no access to formal instruction. SwimTayka is also set to launch a UK programme later this year.
Each summer, SwimTayka organises sponsored relay swims across the Channel to raise funds for its work. Relay teams typically consist of five or six swimmers, with each person swimming for around an hour at a time.
Channel swimming is considered one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world, requiring extensive physical and mental preparation. Swimmers must cope with cold water, strong currents, jellyfish and the challenges of navigating one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
Imogen and Matilda, who are organic farmers, decided to take on the challenge in memory of their father, Alex Meers, who died from leukaemia 20 years ago.
Imogen said:
“Swimming the English Channel has been a dream of ours since we were young. We hope one day to complete it solo, but this summer we’re thrilled to start the journey as part of a relay team – and to do it for such an incredible charity, SwimTayka.
“Our preparation has already begun with trips away with the relay team, daily cold swims and squad training.”
Matilda added:
“Our dad was our biggest supporter in all of our swimming endeavours and had hoped that one day we would make it to the Olympics. While that may not have happened, we believe this is the next best thing and we know he would be incredibly proud of what we’re working towards.”
The sisters and their teammates are raising money to support SwimTayka’s life-saving swimming programmes. More information about the charity and its Channel relay swims can be found at swimtayka.org. Donations to support Imogen and Matilda’s challenge can be made via their JustGiving page.
