17 March, 2023
Last weekend we put a call out on social media to gather together the South Coast’s Sea Swimmers, our aim was to unite them in one place, at one time for one big photo in honour of International Women’ Day.
1. A chance to challenge your Bravery: Swimming/Dipping on a cold March morning is an act of courage, it is empowering and helps build resilience in the face of adversity. #DippersCanDo
2. Don’t underestimate the power of camaraderie: Swimming with like-minded people creates a sense of camaraderie and solidarity among women who share a common cause. It's an opportunity to bond with others and make new connections. Not to mention you hug, laugh and dance in your swimsuit and wet suit gloves!
3. We love to celebrate: It is an opportunity to celebrate our shared experiences and achievements as women. It's a chance to honour the progress that has been made in the fight for gender equality and to recognize the work that still needs to be done.
4. Finding Our Voices: A chance to find our voices and speak out for what we believe in. This helps build confidence and resilience, and inspire others to take action. In our welcome talk we asked everyone to take positive actions over the next month to support, empower and elevate one other women.
5. An opportunity to embrace your inner mermaid: we saw fancy dress, flower garlands, crowns, mermaid leggings, fluffy hats, waterproof jewels, sparkles, glamorous outfits and environmentally friendly glitter. It’s good for your spirit to dance on a beach on a random Saturday morning. Not to mention lots of Baileys, fizz and homemade cakes being handed around.
6. Food for the Soul: Hanging out with fellow mermaids is good for the soul. There's something invigorating about being in the water, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from braving the cold is a powerful motivator. It's an opportunity to connect with nature and recharge batteries.
A whoop in the waves releases your inner child – you can’t help but smile!
In the end, it is all about community: We wanted to connect women who are passionate about swimming and want to take part in the conversation about achieving gender equality and equity. We wanted to demonstrate through small actions that you can feel better and start conversations that can ignite change to create a better future.
Watch out: The Big Mermaid Dip will be back next year!
I wonder how many mermaids we can get along in 2024?
How will using DaisyVW help you stand out from the crowd?
Thank you to RubyMoon Gym to Swim, Eye Storm Global, Beach Box Brighton and Zoe Carroll Coaching for being part of the The Big Mermaid Team.
Photographs: Thank you to Mi Elfverson @mi.elfversonvideo
My very first adventure was on a Tall Ship called The Sir Winston Churchill when I had just turned 18.
I have loved adventures ever since. Although I still get seasick 30 years on!
I would describe myself as an everyday adventurer. I try and squeeze adventure into my every day from walks, swims and runs to film, podcasts and books. I am always on the look out for communities to connect with and adventures to be found.
I have just hit 50 and my adventure journey has changed so many times over the years, from a 20-year-old canoeing and sailing instructor, to a Mum with young children teaching them to embrace the outdoors through camping, building dens and cooking on open fires, to a mum of young teens when we surfed, coast steered, climbed Ben Nevis and swam in the North Sea!
My boys are in their late teens now and are slowly flying the nest, it is here I find myself now, ready to embrace the next stage of my adventure journey.
Embracing my new found freedom and loving being outside, I am ready to do some exploring!
My adventure journey has included Moonwalks, marathon walks along Hadrians Wall and the South Coast, firewalks, abseiling down castles, coast steering, a cross country ski marathon in the Arctic Circle, a wing walk and training in an Environmental Cold Chamber at the University of Sussex at minus 20!
I have just come back from running a 1/2 marathon in Greenland - the biggest and most extreme event I have ever taken part in. This Arctic adventure has definitely left me with a fire in soul for more adventures.
This year I am off trekking in Peru, visiting the Amazon Rainforest, hiking around the Isle of Wight and organising a mega sea swim for over 500 "mermaids" to celebrate International Women's Day.
When I am not on an adventure I am working with my beautiful VW Camper Van called Daisy on photo shoots - if you want you or your business to stand out from the crowd then its time to book a branding shoot with Daisy.
See what DaisyVW has been up to
Photo Shoot Dates: Private shoots also available on request
Check out The Big Mermaid Dip for International Women's Day in Brighton - March 11th - Watch out for March 2024 Dates
Happy Adventuring
Nicky Chisholm aka #PinkNicky
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