Our Water Stories

Simon Harmer shares his story with Open Minds Active about how swimming and the open water community that surrounds it has helped him build mental and physical resilience, following a life-changing injury.

Wafa shares her swim story about her competitive swimming career in her native Sudan and how on arriving to the UK with her family swimming helped her reconnect with herself and community.

Lildonia shares her learn to swim story, discussing the barriers to swimming for people of colour, the perceived stereotypes and reclaiming the narrative around her own personal journey and the joy of learning a new skill and accessing blue spaces. 

Mehbooba shares her swim story, about how the water has helped her heal mentally and physically. She talks about the importance of people finding time for themselves to do activities like cold water swimming that support long term health.

Join this heartfelt reflection as a mother and daughter share their inspiring open-water swimming journey in Bristol. Discover how immersing into the cold-water world has not only strengthened their bond but also built their confidence, boosted their mental health, and introduced them to an incredible community here at Open Minds Active

Open Minds Active, in collaboration with Orca and The Wave Bristol, presents Rediscover — a powerful story following Stephen Lightbown’s journey with surfing and the profound impact the waves have on his mental health and overall wellbeing. iption goes here