Mum of three who swam the English Channel in 2020 has become an ‘Ice Miler’ after completing the toughest swimming test on the planet.
Last month, Kate Hartwright, from Appleford near Didcot, swam a mile in ice cold water wearing only a swimming costume, a pair of goggles and a silicone swim hat.
In an extreme test of mental and physical endurance, the 51-year-old swam for 41.5 minutes in 4.5 degrees water in Hatfield lake, Doncaster.
The International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) is the only organisation to ratify Ice Mile Swims.
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Participants need an electrocardiogram (ECG) and medical check before any ice mile attempt, as well as a medical team on hand for the recovery phase at the end.
There are only 623 swimmers who are ratified "Ice Milers" with the IISA.
Miss Hartwright said: “I really enjoyed the first half but struggled to swim the last 400m, known as ‘the death zone!’ All the blood from your arms and legs goes to your core to keep your vital organs warm so it’s like swimming with heavy limbs.
“I struggled with my recovery, it took me over an hour to be able to walk and talk properly again, I did not realise it would be quite such an extreme threat to my health and my sanity until after my swim.”
The ice mile attempt came about by accident when last November she realised she could stay in colder temperatures for longer while swimming for fun in the river Thames – something she does two to three times a week with fellow club members.
Miss Hartwright is an experienced cold-water swimmer and has warned others not to go into cold water swimming half-heartedly, as the consequences for beginners can be dangerous.
In 2020, to celebrate her 50th birthday, took on the ‘gruelling’ challenge of swimming the English Channel.
The swimming mum took to the water without a wetsuit and swam the Channel in 19.23 hours and was exhausted when she arrived in France.
“I’m just a normal mum, I’m not a triathlete, I don’t jump around at the gym. I’m a normal at home mum. That is why I just want to inspire other people, if I can do it anyone can do it” Miss Hartwright commented in an interview after this challenge.
She is also raising money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, a cause close to her heart as her aunty Dale suffers with MS, a condition that affects your brain and spinal cord.
Miss Hartwright set up a Justgiving page and donations can be made via: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kate-hartwright-channel-swim
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