From Pool Lengths to Channel Crossings: Adele Benson's Open Water Swimming Journey

I actually came to swimming through the pool first, not open water. When I was 18 and trying to process some big life changes, swimming became my headspace. There was something about the routine of it that helped, just turning up, getting in, and focusing on one thing at a time. Even now, most of my training still happens in a pool because it’s what fits around work and everyday life. I think sometimes people assume you have to fully immerse yourself in open water culture to be “properly” into swimming, but honestly, finding the version of swimming that fits your life is the most important thing.

Open water swimming came later. I signed up for the Henley Thames Classic in 2018 because it felt like a challenge, not because I saw myself as an outdoor swimmer. If I’m honest, I probably didn’t fully know what I was doing at the time, but sometimes committing first is the best motivation. Since then, I’ve somehow ended up swimming the English Channel, Windermere, Double Coniston, Lake Annecy and more.

What I love about open water is that it constantly reminds you to get comfortable being uncomfortable. I still feel out of my depth sometimes, usually when jellyfish are involved, but I think everyone does, even after big swims. That’s part of the appeal. Pool swimming gives me structure and routine, while open water gives me adventure and perspective. They balance each other out really well.

Over the years, I’ve also realised that consistency matters far more than one-off epic sessions. The swims you squeeze in after work still count. The shorter sessions still count. A lot of my training has happened between normal life commitments, and I think that’s important to say because it’s easy to look at big swims and assume everyone trains full-time for them.

I’ve also learned that the right kit can completely change your experience of outdoor swimming. Feeling warm and comfortable makes such a difference, especially when you’re building confidence and trying to enjoy it enough to keep going back.

More than anything though, I think swimming should feel accessible. You don’t need to “look like a swimmer” before calling yourself one. If you swim, you’re a swimmer.

That’s why I’m really excited to be joining the ambassador team at Red Equipment as someone who’s found a home in both pool and open water swimming. 

In terms of tips, these are the ones I always come back to and the ones I’ve shared on my socials before:

• Don’t overcomplicate getting started. My first open water swim happened because I signed up for an event before I fully knew what I was doing. Sometimes committing first is the best motivation.
• Find the version of swimming that fits your life. Most of my training still happens in a pool because it’s accessible, structured, and works around my job and everyday routine.
• Consistency matters more than one-off epic sessions. The swims you squeeze in after work still count.
• In open water, expect to feel uncomfortable at first. Everyone feels a bit out of their depth sometimes, even after big swims.
• Get the right kit. Feeling warm and comfortable makes a huge difference to enjoying outdoor swimming and wanting to go back.
• Don’t wait to “look like a swimmer” before calling yourself one. If you swim, you’re a swimmer.

Follow Adele's swimming journey @swimmingadele on Instagram.