Reese’s Open Water Triumph at Mercers Lake
On June 30th, 2024, the South East Open Water Championships at Mercers Lake witnessed an inspiring first-time performance that left everyone buzzing with excitement. Reese, a dedicated swimmer who had never before tested the waters of open water swimming, decided to take the plunge and try something new. With the British Championships looming at the end of July, time was tight, leaving Reese with no opportunity to practice in an open water environment.
Armed with her pool training and a handful of YouTube videos for guidance, Reese braved the unknown. This particular event was a no wet suit competition, amplifying her nerves about the water temperature, the presence of fish, and the absence of clearly defined lanes. Despite these challenges, she committed to the 2km race, reasoning that if she found the experience unpleasant after the first kilometre, she would only have one more to endure.
To everyone’s absolute delight, Reese not only completed the race but emerged victorious in the 15/16 year age group, finishing with an impressive time of 22 minutes and 49 seconds. Her success has ignited a newfound passion for open water swimming, and she is now eager to tackle the 3km distance next time, perhaps with a bit more practice under her belt.
With just over a week of intense training ahead, Reese is gearing up for a grueling yet thrilling 12-day stretch. She will compete in the British Championships in Sheffield, followed immediately by the English Championships. It’s a challenging schedule, but Reese is ready to give it everything she’s got.
Stay tuned for the final update of this exciting season in three weeks. Reese’s journey is a testament to the power of bravery and determination, and we can’t wait to see what she achieves next.
Reese, you are incredible – keep it up!
