The Swim That Nearly Didn't Happen

Five minutes before the start, I still wasn't entirely sure we were going.

For most of the week, the forecast wind had been steadily moving in the wrong direction. What had started as a relatively benign southerly breeze had gradually strengthened day by day. By the afternoon of the swim, the wind had increased significantly from the south, exposing much of the route to larger waves than we had originally expected.

To add another layer of uncertainty, our safety boat had developed an issue on the way to the start. Nothing critical, but enough to require careful management and a conversation about whether this was still the right day to attempt a twelve-kilometre sea swim.

As organisers, that is our responsibility. Adventure swimming should never be about blindly pushing on regardless. It should be about balancing challenge with good judgment.

So, having arrived at Rock Beach at Dawlish Warren, with the swimmers already waiting and our safety crew discussing the latest forecasts, we made one final assessment.

The conditions were challenging.

The route was achievable.

The swimmers were ready.

We went.

Why Twelve Kilometres?

This route was designed specifically for endurance swimmers.

Ultra-distance running has exploded in popularity over recent years. More and more people are discovering that there is something deeply rewarding about moving beyond traditional race distances and exploring what they are truly capable of.

Swimming is no different.

The route from Dawlish Warren to Maidencombe links together some of South Devon's most iconic coastline. It passes Langstone Rock, the red cliffs of Dawlish, Coryton Cove, Parson and Clerk, Teignmouth, the mouth of the River Teign and Labrador Bay before finally arriving at Maidencombe.

For local swimmers, there is something particularly special about the middle section.

Every Saturday, around twenty to thirty swimmers join our sea swimming groups in Teignmouth. Beginners and experienced swimmers alike spend time building confidence, developing skills and learning to understand the sea. On this route, those same swimmers eventually find themselves looking back across the harbour mouth from out in the bay, seeing familiar landmarks from an entirely different perspective.

It is a reminder of just how far people can progress.

The Sea Had Other Ideas

The opening section was tough.

The south wind had built a solid Force 4. The sea state was more than moderatly rough. White hourses. And, although the swimmers were making progress, it was hard-earned. The first third of the route required patience, resilience and a willingness to accept that the conditions were not going to offer any favours.

Thankfully, the forecasts proved largely correct, and the wind and sea would calm down later.

As the afternoon progressed, the wind began to ease and rotate. The sea slowly settled to Slight, then Smooth. By the time the swimmers passed Parson and Clerk, the difference was noticeable.

The challenge had not disappeared, but the water had become far more manageable.

Out on the water, we were treated to some of the sights that make sea swimming so special. A seal appeared near the start of the swim. The water was sitting around 19–20°C. Gannets plunged into the sea around us, drawing the attention of the safety crew whenever there was a quiet moment to look away from the swimmers.

Later in the evening, two dorsal fins appeared briefly in the distance. Whether dolphins or porpoises, I cannot say with certainty, but it felt like another reminder that when you spend enough time in the sea, you become a guest in a much larger world.

Three Different Journeys

What made the swim particularly rewarding was that the three swimmers had arrived at the start from very different backgrounds.

Two swimmers had experience behind them. The other was relatively new to open-water swimming but had demonstrated all the signs of someone ready for the challenge - He only entered the world of sea swimming last year, progressing from my beginner sessions in 2025 to longer events through consistent training and commitment.

Different journeys.

Different experiences.

The same destination.

As a coach, I always try to remove unnecessary pressure during these events. There is never any shame in adapting a route, shortening a challenge or taking a break if conditions demand it.

Throughout the day, those options remained available.

Nobody was interested.

At one stage, one swimmer was struggling with the inevitable effects of hours spent with salt water swilling around their mouth and was physically sick. Naturally, we checked that they were safe and well enough to continue.

The answer was immediate.

They were continuing.

In fact, looking back now, I think there was a point where Bertie, Rhys and I all came to the same conclusion.

These three swimmers were getting to Maidencombe with or without us.

The determination was that obvious.

What Endurance Really Looks Like

When people think about endurance challenges, they often imagine the suffering, exhaustion and dramatic finishes on the day.

The reality is usually much more than even that.

The reality is thousands of training strokes, completed over months.

It's turning up consistently.

It's trusting your preparation.

And it looks like continuing to move forward when things become uncomfortable.

Just after 7pm, the swimmers reached Maidencombe.

What struck me most about them wasn't relief.

It was how fresh they looked.

There were smiles. There was laughter. There was the unmistakable satisfaction that comes from achieving something difficult and knowing you earned it.

Twelve kilometres is a long way to swim.

But perhaps the most inspiring thing about the day was this:

None of these swimmers started their journey as endurance athletes.

They became endurance athletes through consistent training, patience and a willingness to take on challenges that once seemed beyond them.

That is what I love most about coaching.

Not the distance.

Not the finish times.

Watching people discover they are capable of far more than they first believed.