Swim Squad Awards 2024: Most Inspirational Athlete

Swim Squad Awards 2024: Most Inspirational Athlete

This one means different things to different people. Some athletes nominated athletes who have showed great courage or have done incredible things. Others nominated athletes who they would like to emulate.

Battling illness & injury, super achievements, amazing swim ability, long-term consistency, willingness to get stuck in, positivity, enthusiasm, feeling the fear and doing it anyway, progress and tenacity are some of the (great) reasons for selecting athletes in this category.

Sammie

Sammie has raced Ironman Swansea 70.3 & Ironman Marbella 70.3 as her two A-Races this year. But reading the comments from the Squad, I suspect Sammie has been nominated for more than just her racing.

“Special mention to Sammie as well in this category, with her health struggles, and still gets out there and competes, is testament to her mental strength – I know how pissed off I get when I have a niggle, so to cope with her issues and gets on with it, is bravo!”

“Sammie – Positivity in the face of adversity award.  I’ve just made up another category. What Sammie has achieved and continues to achieve is incredible with her endometriosis.  She never complains, manages her training around it & still performs to a high level.  She is so supportive to other squaddies too & an inspiration to all.“

“Sammie, not to say this in a patronising way but what a superstar, to be battling the woes of endo but still showing up and giving it her all with still outstanding performance  what a credit to the squad :)”

“Whenever I feel like saying “I’m too tired, I’ll run/cycle etc tomorrow” I think of Sammie and tell myself that she would love to have the ability to train pain free right now. And then I do the session. She has no idea how many times I have finished a session and said “thank you Sammie”. She has been dealt a properly rubbish hand, and yet she continues to push herself and achieve amazing things. All whilst being the biggest cheerleader for everyone else. She’s the most self-motivated, and most encouraging of others, person that I’ve ever met.”

“Sammie – persevering, great attitude, really brings the idea of appreciating every moment you can train and feeling grateful for this, definitely made me reflect a few times.”

“For me, it’s Sammie. What she achieves with the challenges she faces is nothing short of incredible. She never gives up and is always smiling and encouraging others – even from her sick bed.”

“Sammie. As we know Sammie does not have it easy with her health, I’m sure she won’t mind me mentioning. Despite this, she has constantly thrived and pushed herself both in training and racing overcoming doubts and pain. Completing 2 Ironman 70.3 is just the start of her results sheet this year. Sammie is fierce in the water, but in a friendly way, I’m sure that makes sense to you. She’ll let you know when it’s going to be scrappy around the buoys in the docks. She has taught me a lot about race craft in open water (without knowing it, probably). Nice one Sammie!”

Carmel

It’s fair to say that Carmel has been on a journey. In the past year or so, she has learned to swim, had some ‘health issues’, made her triathlon debut and completed Ironman Bolton 70.3 (as well as other runs, including Chicago Marathon in 3.07). A lot of the reasons why Carmel inspires others.

“Carmel – Heart attack at the start of the year, surgery, recovery, managing training in zone 2/3 and still running rings around the majority of us.  Completing her first 70.3 and overcoming the ‘fear’ in the swim.  Smashing Chicago marathon (sub 3.10 I think) along with other races.  She is so humble and encouraging too. Such an inspiration to me 🫶”

“Carmel after having a heart attack and not only making her way back to fitness, but developing her swim so much she completed her first 70.3. And she’s one of the most supportive people!”

Alex

Alex is an amazing swimmer to watch (and coach). Smooth, effortless … and fast!

“Alex – I think he started in the Squad this year?  Amazing to watch how he just moves in the water”

“Alex – Consistent, completed the triple crown in the lakes – a great achievement and he  has the speed as well (new 100m PB of 1.11). The focus on one sport is incredible … and it is always nice to chase someone so I can get quicker.”

Ellie

What more can we say about Ellie?

“Ellie ‘podium’ Perkins – rocks up at races, has fun and finishes on the podium time and time again. Superwoman.”

Jan

Jan “part of the furniture” Rigby continues to inspire swimmers. Not just her love for cold water or long distance swimming, but now her improved running ability and new found love for Swimrun!

“Jan, she’s relentless, her improvement in running is brilliant. Also I don’t know how she deals with cold water, I just can’t :)”

“Jan – 21 events this year, top of the league in swim runs in her first proper season of running, smashed multiple PBs”

“A particular shoutout goes to Jan who I cannot imagine Swim Squad without. She was one of the first people I got chatting to after coming along to give one of the sessions ago after not swimming properly for 8 years or so. She’s part of the furniture. She keeps everyone in the squad going and seeing her flying through the ranks in her Swim Run competitions is inspiring to see. She keeps everyone in lane 1 on their toes with timings, has the coolest mermaid hair, is there to offer a helping hand if anyone is unsure on anything technique or swim wise and I love being part of the bi-weekly swim squad insta update! You can tell how much she loves and has a passion for swimming and sharing that love with others. She’s a great swimmer who’s achieved a lot this past year with all her open water swims and I love hearing about how all her competitions have gone.”

“I could never not give Jan a mention. I expect she will get a mention from most. She is just unbelievable. I never thought she would turn to anything but swimming and so seeing her take on running challenges and swim run events has been absolutely inspirational. Despite such massive and numerous achievements she still manages to make me feel that I am achieving and making progress! She is the definition of an inspiration.”

Lisa

Lisa inspires and encourages in equal measure.

“She has had a tough year on a personal level, but shows up, works hard, always welcoming and positive.”

“Although she has had a lot going on personally, she has still been there at Swim Squad pushing herself to improve. Her racing year did not go as she wanted and she has had to put some events on hold. However, she has still managed to compete in a number of amazing races and has big plans for the future.”

“Lisa hasn’t been able to swim nearly as much as she’d like to this year, but when she has, she’s brought joy to the lane. She’s so supportive of others, and encourages them (me) to keep going, even when they want to quit.”

Matt

Matt’s “year of racing” has inspired a lot of the Squad. In fact, the more races he does, the more races other athletes enter!

“Matt Rutherford is outstanding for me”

“Matt Rutherford, his ability to get up for a range of races and commitment to consistent training is incredible and the to deliver time after time, is really impressive.”

Jon

Two big race performances in 2024 for Jon, which didn’t go unnoticed.

“Jon Farrell motivates me” 

“His execution of Ironman Wales was just wonderful. He wanted to enjoy this one and had his head firmly in that zone! So much so that he even enjoyed the choppy, jellyfish ridden swim and laughed at it! Ha! “I smite you waves and jellies!” His sheer joy carried him round the course in a PB time and was inspiring enough to tempt many squadders to attempt the distance.”

Helen

Helen and her “let’s give it a go” attitude is rubbing off on our other athletes.

“Helen for doing the triple crown“

“Helen, she is such laidback person when is comes to swimming her pace and her pace only. She has swam some major swimming events this year and is so humble about her achievements as though it was a training session.”

Sara

Not sure what is left to say about Sara. Super inspiring.

“Sara G – what a year, all around outstanding, so humble & hardworking. Every event / race she’s done she’s built & improved on the one before.  Such an inspiration.  She’d be my athlete of the year.”

Elliot

Lot of love in the Squad for Elliot and his enthusiasm.

“I want to nominate Elliott for just being Elliott – his joy for the sport is infectious.  You can tell how much he loves the squad and developing in triathlon.  He’s proof that if you put your mind to it and work hard you can do anything. Such an inspiration. When he’s alongside me in the next lane at swimming I’ve always got to put in an extra effort because I know he’s alongside pushing himself racing 😂”

“Elliot – because of his ‘can do’ attitude.”

“Elliot just loving swimming – and everything in between – such a trooper!”

“Elliot – always so happy to be there and pushing his boundaries consistently (wonder what he will sign up for next…. )”

“Despite never swimming with him, seeing Elliot’s enthusiasm for swimming and triathlons on the group chats is infectious. It seems like over the past year he has gone from strength to strength entering more competitions and taking on more challenges. Observing him being inquisitive and asking questions over different styles of technique, types of training etc is so nice to see. Seeing him bursting with pride and confidence after the Cross Mersey Swim that a few of the athletes did in the summer was truly inspirational and it was so lovely to see someone so proud of their achievements and give them the belief to keep pushing themselves to achieve their best.”

Elliot for the “Joy Award”. I love watching Elliots journey and seeing how with each challenge he smashes the boundaries of what he thought possible. This year he accomplished much but the Cross Mersey Swim stands out. His joy in succeeding could not outlay his own disbelief that he’s done it – he’d swam the Mersey!!! Did he mention it?!?”
 

Mike

Mike’s Ironman race performance this year made a lot of people sit up and think “be more Mike”.

“Mike’s fearless no plan just go hard till you bonk approach”

Kathryn

Kathryn has shown some great strength this year, working hard to catch up and surpass her pre-injury self.

“Katherine’s comeback from the injury and her work ethic at each session – she makes the most of her training, totally pushes us and makes us all better.”

“Most inspirational swimmer – Kathryn. After. Illness and surgery it’s inspiring to see her back where she belongs in the pool. Huge achievement.”

“Kathryn – She just seems to manage to bounce back from any adversity. She is such a strong swimmer who is very humble with it and is truly a lovely person. It has been great having her in the fun lane but lane 1 is where her talent really belongs.”

Jo

An athlete who makes swim / bike / run look easy! A super athlete who inspires many.

“Wow! What an all round athlete Jo is and very humble too. She is without a doubt one of the best athletes at the club but really doesn’t know it. Watching her swim, and seeing how she just glides through the water, is a privilege. She makes it look easy even when it’s a tough session. When I grow up I want to be like Jo.”

Dani

Much like Sara and Matt earlier, what more can we say about Dani? Impressive performances, more impressive attitude.

“Dani smashing events, always pushing herself”

Mel

Mel’s journey over the last few years has been unbelievable. What a can-do / will-do mindset. Facing the fear and doing it anyway.

“For swimming the Mersey when scared.”

“In the words of the great Nelson Mandela “Courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it”. That was Mel’s mantra for the whole year I think. That girl just went for it!! Particular standout was the cross Mersey Swim. Despite being terrified she cracked on and smashed it. Amazing.”

Danny

We love to see athletes coming from nowhere to achieving great feats. And Danny’s progress hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“I admire every single person who has raced – some of them fast, some not as fast – but I vote for Danny for doing a half IM coming from where he came from. Amazing.”

Graham (Tenchy)

More on Graham in future awards I think, but his positive attitude is infectious and it’s no surprise to see him mentioned here.

“Tenchy going back to do Ironman Wales and smashing his previous best time.”

Kiera

After an eight year break Kiera has found swimming again, and is swimming faster and smoother than ever before. A role model for great swim technique.

“Effortless swimmer – would love to be able to swim like her”

Ian W

Ian completed his second Ironman, Ironman France, after double-knee surgery the year before.

“Getting himself ready and then performing so well at Ironman France just over a year after double-knee surgery.”

The Whole Squad

Lots of athletes nominated “the whole squad” for the inspiration award. Here are a couple of nominations.

“The entire squad, each and every one of them overcomes fears, deals with their daily life challenges and pushes their limits with big smiles on their faces.” 

“The impact of Swim Squad has positively spilled out into other areas of my life and I am thankful to you and the other members I have met. I’ve met some amazingly talented people and have been able to witness some amazing achievements in an encouraging and supportive environment. As I have said previously I am constantly inspired. So thank you.”

“We Are Who We Surround Ourselves With”

If you don’t come to Swim Squad and you don’t know these people, this post might not mean much to you. However, if you are in this situation, my takeaway from it would be about surrounding yourself with people who inspire you – in ability, in attitude, in approach to life. We all need to be around people like this.

“We are who we surround ourselves with.”

Swim Squad Awards 2024: Most Inspirational Athlete

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