From Sunday Social to Loch Challenges: Coldingham Brave Bayers Take on Scotland’s Lochs
Coldingham wild swimmers are taking their Sunday social to new distances as 12 members of Coldingham Brave Bayers CIC tackle Scotland’s Go Swim Loch Challenges.
What started as a meeting of friends getting together for a swim has grown into something much bigger for the Coldingham Brave Bayers.
The women and disability-led social enterprise, based in Coldingham, Berwickshire, is helping people build confidence, improve their swimming skills and discover the physical, social and wellbeing benefits of open-water swimming.
This summer, 12 members of the group have taken on the challenge of swimming some of Scotland’s most spectacular lochs as part of the Go Swim series.
And, in true Scottish style, the water temperatures have been sitting around 17–18°C — practically roasty toasty for the Bayers!
The challenge began at Loch Tay on 15 August, followed by the world-famous Loch Lomond on 29 August, with the final Go Swim event taking place at Loch Morlich on 12 September.
Distances range from 750m to 3km, with members of the group steadily pushing themselves beyond what they may previously have thought possible.
For some, simply entering an organised open-water event is a huge personal achievement.
Joshua Betts completed his first-ever 750m event at Loch Lomond, while Claire Shearsby has completed two of the three events so far.
The 750m distance may sound modest to an experienced swimmer, but it is equivalent to 30 lengths of a 25m swimming pool.
The 1.5km distance — the largest entry from the Bayers — is the equivalent of 60 lengths of a 25m pool.
Among those taking on the 1.5km challenge are Sally Walsh, Sharron Macpherson, Lucy Anderson, Amy Craig, Peter Gillian, Katie Banks, Grace Morris, Lynne Harris, Lisa Jarvis. Sarah Campbell took on the 3km distance at Loch Tay and Loch Lomond, the whole group smashing their previous times and setting new personal bests.
The swimmers are now looking forward to seeing their results from the upcoming BLDSA events on 5 September, before heading to Loch Morlich for the final Go Swim challenge.
For some of the Bayers, the challenge isn't simply about getting further — it's about getting faster, more confident and developing their own swimming techniques.
Sharron Macpherson said:
“Coldingham Brave Bayers is so much more than a Sunday social. This summer we've been supporting people with techniques such as sighting and buoy turns, breathing and increasing stamina.
“Our training through the Swimming Teachers' Association gives you a solid foundation to move forward with your long-distance swimming.
“We are also aquaphobics coaches with trauma-informed practice, so whether you're taking your first steps into the sea or a lake, or you're looking for support on your long-distance swimming journey, we can help you develop your own technique and get you started — no matter if you're 18 or 80.”
That message is reflected in Amy Craig's advice to anyone considering entering their first event:
“Do it! Go for the shortest distance and see how you get on and how you feel. Most importantly, enjoy it. It doesn't matter whether you swim front crawl, breaststroke or doggy paddle, just get in and have a go!”
For the Bayers, the Go Swim challenges demonstrate exactly what the group is about: progress, friendship, inclusion and having a go.
From the first nervous dip to swimming kilometres across some of Scotland's most beautiful lochs, the message is simple — you don't have to be an elite swimmer to take on a challenge.
Sometimes you just need a group of people beside you saying, “Come on — let's have a go.”
The Coldingham Brave Bayers are already looking towards their next challenge at Loch Morlich, with some swimmers increasing their distances and others hoping to set yet more personal bests.
And whatever the stopwatch says, one thing is already clear: the Bayers have come a long way from their original Sunday social.
To find out more about Coldingham Brave Bayers CIC, wild swimming, water confidence and upcoming activities, visit www.wildandfreezing.co.uk or follow the group on social media.