29/12/2023
I follow Dave on Facebook and was lucky enough to meet him this summer, swim with him and have a chat. He appears like any ordinary guy but look beneath and you’ll see someone quite extraordinary. Dave has suffered from extreme pain most days since he broke is back age 16. In the past his back spasms have been so debilitating that he’s taken to his bed for months at a time. Latterly he’s found the magic that enables him to live his life as he wants to and that’s through cold water swimming. Every morning Dave is up and in his favourite lake by 5.30am for a half hour swim before work. He’s on crutches but he makes his way along the ten minute walk on the woodland path near the lake where he can enter the water safely. Now this is fairly easy when it’s light and warm but Dave is in there whatever the weather (which can be really wild in North Wales). He doesn’t miss a beat. Across the icy wooden bridge, through the rocky path and boggy lake edge and into the balm of the icy water. His mental toughness is an inspiration. Think about the last week of weather and then think of Dave embracing the cold because he knows that icy water calms his pain and brings him peace. I look forward to his daily posts because he reminds me of what is possible and to never give up no matter what. What an inspiration this man is. If you want to catch up with Dave then please join Open Water Swimming UK and you’ll see his posts each morning. And if you have physical pain or mental anguish, please consider cold water swimming. It might just be the magic you need too. It’s certainly magical to me ✨
