Across Mersey Swim – Race Report - Triathlon Swim Squad

Across Mersey Swim – Race Report

One of our Swim Squad athletes, Elliot, tells us his story of swimming across the River Mersey. If you want more details, Elliot will be more than happy to tell you all about it – in glorious detail!

Anyway, here is his story.

Elliot’s Dream

Thousands of small steps over the last 4 years allowed me to be lucky enough to stand on the start line of the 2024 Across Mersey Swim ,

The first step was messaging Bryan Riley at Triathlon Swim Squad in 2020 and putting a wetsuit on for the first time.

I never in my wildest dreams I never imagined this day would come to reality.

Standing on the start line was a crescendo of emotions. I honestly felt the most terrified I had ever felt and my mind wondered why I was putting myself through it. I wanted to run away into safety and comfort but deep down I knew I had trained well and I believed I could make it to the other side.

Walking into the River Mersey I knew I was ready.

The Team

The swim began and I felt the swell, fear came but I accepted it. I looked around to see Lisa, Mel & Shane, Richie, Matt, Jon & Jo, Garry and Nick and I felt a sense of calm.

I swam smoothly and felt waves coming over my head, sometimes I turned to take a breath and was met with a mouthful of saltwater. I remembered the Thursdays in the dock with Bryan (Thursday Open Water Swim Sessions) and turned to my left when I needed to compensate for the waves – something which we had drilled in practice. This really did come in handy.

I saw Mel have a small wobble but noticed the way she turned a negative situation into a positive like a light switch and continued to swim on strong with Lisa . I see things like this and it inspires me so much. I know how much strength this takes. Well done Mel.

Big credit to Nick Hall who stayed next to me for the whole swim and helped me to sight the shipyard and land reference points. Jo, Jon and Garry cut into the choppy waters, charting a safe passage to the other side. I watched them manoeuvre around us to make sure we were on course and they swam with ease and made the Mersey look like a playground.

“Enjoy The View”

I remember Jon telling me to turn around and enjoy the view – which I did – and I tried to slow everything down in my mind. “Wow, what a view!” I thought to myself.

Once we reached Cammell Laird I felt the strength of the current take us and I remembered to stay left towards the wall. The SwimSquad pod stopped and waited for us all to regroup and we swam the last bit together. This was the ultimate team effort. I really enjoyed this last bit, with the current pushing us to the finish.

I turned to breathe, looked up and spotted the flags and everyone cheering us. I saw Laura and Erin shouting me and I knew I had made it!

Getting out the water I knew my perspective of life had changed for the better and I know I’ll never be the same. I had chased another dream and made it happen.

Big thanks to Lisa, Jan and Hil for the support over the last few years with the open water and everyone at Swim Squad. And a big thanks to Gary Williams for the message the night before which really calmed me down, telling me all about his Mersey Swim the previous year.

Warning!

Be careful though if you join Triathlon Swim Squad – it will change your life.

Across Mersey Swim – Race Report