Swim Stories - to inspire!
Great Swim began in 2008 with the Great North Swim and expanded to the four-event British Gas Great Swim series in 2009.
The inaugural Great North Swim proved a big attraction as it was one of the first mass participation open water events of its kind.
Here, swimmers who took part in the initial event tell their stories of why they decided to take on the challenge, how they prepared for the big day and what it was like to take to the water in Lake Windermere.
The majority of Great Swim participants are just ordinary people and their stories are truly inspiring.
What’s more, their accounts also reveal many top tips and offer lots of great advice, especially if you are thinking of taking on the Great Swim challenge yourself.