We need you!
Lately Wimmin Swimmers have been a bit too thin on the ground – or to put it another way, not too fat in the water. To be viable we need more of you to enjoy the freedom of a women-only, woman-friendly, relaxing hour of floating about a bit, finding your webbed-feet, cruising the ooze etc, etc. Let me address your timidities, if you have them. First, the biggy – you think you’ll drown. You won’t, a professionally trained lifeguard is on hand if the worst comes to the worst, plus at least eight pairs of other eyes to watch over you should you need them, and for everything else, there’s a noodle (water wings are very passé). Second, you will feel judged. We are not judgy, whatever your worries, we don’t care about them except to help them go away. I’ve heard it said that too much exposure of the flesh causes anxiety or embarrassment, we are all shapes and sizes and let’s face it, with maturity comes a certain slippage of form (unless you’re Nigella Lawson or Naomi Campbell). If “Big Sue” Tilley could bare her all before Lucien Freud, Sotheby’s and the National Gallery, why worry about a few friendly faces in Teesdale pool?
Thirdly, your hair will turn green with the chlorine. It’s never happened, it’s an urban myth. All the years Ive been getting my peroxided head down in the pool, I should know. You can stop a good deal of chlorine absorption simply by soaking your hair in unchlorinated water first and then wearing a swim hat. Fourthly, you don’t know the ropes. We meet as a group in the lobby so that everyone goes into the pool together and any whats, wheres, whys, are dealt with as we go. Fifthly, you are not equipped. All you need is something to cover up the bits you feel you should. Recently, I was in the Med off Sicily with an 84 year old woman of indomitable spirit. She was in her bra and pants. Right on! I have spare goggles and hats, the leisure centre has floats, beach balls, etc, etc.
Any other worries and needing further assurance? Please contact me 07988 625738. The biggest fear should be FOMO (I’m on trend – Fear Of Missing Out) because none of our wimmin swimmers have regretted taking the plunge, and some have embraced it with gusto, loving it.
Annie Clouston