Swimmers from Cumbria head to Scotland for the Winter Swim Championships

Swimmers from the Kendal Triathlon Club and Suzanna Cruickshank, who teaches guided wild swimming in the Lake District, competed.

The event was held in Loch Tay located in the central highlands of Scotland and was attended by 250 keen winter swimmers.

The water was 4.7 degrees but that did not put the swimmers off. Ice swimming is classified as any water under 5C and competitors are allowed to wear just a swimsuit and a regular swimming cap.

Victoria Hatch, from Kendal Triathlon Club, came fifth in the female 50-metre freestyle and her relay team 'Just Add Water' came fifth in the 4x50 metre mixed freestyle race. 

Meanwhile Suzanna Cruickshank took bronze in her age group for the 150-metre breaststroke went and was fourth in the 450-metre endurance freestyle.

Kendal Triathlon Club by James Kirby

Victoria joined the Kendal triathlon around Christmas time and said it was the first time she had been in a pool competitively in 15 years. 

Victoria said: "This was my first ice swimming event. They have them all over the world/ I have the bug now and I can't wait until next year. I want to go all around the world and enter the different events."

Victoria said the competitions are 'deeply satisfying' and 'extremely fun' adding: "Looking ahead to the summer I think I will enter some warmer swim events."

The event is organised by Alice Goodridge of Swim Wild UK. 

Swim Wild UK was set up in 2018 as a way for Alice to share her passion for adventure and open water swimming. 

RACE: Susanna Cruickshank

Suzanna said she came into swimming at a late age and realised she was good at it so started competing.

She said: "I went to the World Championships in 2018, partly a holiday and partly as a friend has been before.

"Although it is competitive it is a really nice thing to do and catch up with swimmers from all over the world.

"I just got the bug, to actually go and race in cold water it brings a different perspective to the activity I then went on to the Scottish National Championships in 2019."