FOUR years ago, Sally Rodgers would never have imagined starting her mornings in the freezing Atlantic. Today, she can’t imagine life without it.
On Sunday, Sally joined the group of swimmers at the Boatstrand in Carrickfinn for a special celebratory dip.
Between about 25 of them, the group has braved the chilly Atlantic every single day for the last four years, building a close community along the way.
Members of the swim group who have been dipping at the Boatstrand, Carrickfin for four years pictured at a celebratory swim on Sunday. (Photos: Eoin Mc Garvey)
On a cold November day back in 2021, Sally and Anne McFadden were out for a walk, wrapped up against the wild winds sweeping the coast. They saw a group of people swimming and were in awe.
“Initially we thought they were mad, then we realised they were really brilliant,” Sally said.
Inspired, they decided to take the plunge themselves.
“We felt the benefits from it immediately.”
And two days later they returned. This pattern continued, and as others’ curiosity grew, so too did the number of swimmers joining them.
Sisters Greta Duffy and Michelle Ferguson in the water at the Boatstrand, Carrickfinn on Sunday with the group celebrating four years of sea swimming. (Photos: Eoin Mc Garvey)
Sally spoke about the tremendous benefits, both physical and mental, that she has felt over the last four years.
“I would be totally lost without it,” she said.
Sally has overcome a lifelong fear of the water and is now a regular sea swimmer.
She described it as “lifesaving”, outlining the many benefits she has felt — from easing the aches in her joints caused by arthritis to helping her slow down and appreciate life.
“If you asked me a few years ago had I an hour or two to spare I would have said ‘no I’m too busy’ but now I will make time for the swim.”
She explained the mental and physical reset that comes with immersing in the cold water.
“When you go into the water you don’t feel anything, no pains or aches but also all the worries from the land float away with the sea too.”
She said everyone in the group would agree, “we are all there for one reason or another”.
The group has evolved over the years, with people coming and going, but one constant remains – 365 days a year, there will always be someone in the water.
“There is no barrier to sea swimming; there are all walks of life involved.
“No matter who you are, when we are in there we are all the same.”
Each daily dip is followed by warm cups of tea and conversation in a safe and trusted environment.
“Some of our best discussions are afterwards over a cup of tea.”
“We pull strength from each other, we laugh, we cry, it’s like a wee counselling session.”
“It has evolved into something really special,” Sally added.
Asked about the freezing winter water, Sally said they love the challenge.
“You have to push yourself that wee bit more,” she explained.
Over the years, the group has set themselves several challenges, including charity swims from Gola Island.
Each damp and dreary morning, as they set off for their nippy dip, they are joined by the rumble of the early morning flight taking off from Carrickfinn.
They watch as the propeller plane cuts through the clouds towards Dublin. This twice-daily flight is a lifeline for cancer patients in Donegal.
Together, the swimmers acknowledge that their brief discomfort in the freezing Atlantic is insignificant compared to what others are going through.
They look up and think of those travelling on the flight above for treatment in Dublin.
And through three charity swims, they have raised close to €50,000 for Donegal Cancer Flights and Services.
Through sea swimming, they have made not only great friends in their own community but also across the county and beyond.
A recent Peace Plus cross-border event brought swimmers from Belfast, Tyrone and Fermanagh to join them for a dip.
Asked if she sees herself still swimming in four years’ time, Sally said:
“I can’t see myself ever not wanting to do it – it’s changed my life.”
