Would you swim this? (image: William Redsern)

Some time between 21 February and 25 February 2010, Emily Morris will attempt to become the first British female to swim the Cook Strait between New Zealand’s North and South Islands. She will face strong tides, sharks, jelly fish, unpredictable weather and water temperatures of between 14 and 16 degrees. She tells Tzero why.

The Cook Strait is an exciting challenge for me with a level of wonderment as there has not been a successful British female crossing yet. In fact only 64 people have been successful since 1962. Two years ago, whilst backpacking around New Zealand, I supported a friend who was attempting the swim. Sadly the tides and weather went against him and he had to give up after 7 hours.

However, I also learnt that no British female had ever completed this swim and the challenge kicked in. While I am by no means a fast or competitive swimmer, the idea I could go down in history for being the first British female to swim the Strait become a dream of mine.  I paid my deposit in 2008 and have been training since!

The whole open water notion began when I read The Beach by Alex Garland. I loved the idea of swimming to an island and using the body as transport.  I then did the channel challenge in a swimming pool for the charity Aspire.  I had to clock up 21 miles over a certain number of days (a generous amount).  I started thinking what it would be like to actually swim the Channel as the mile blocks that I was doing were tedious and tiring!

In 2005 I went on a swimming holiday (Swim Trek) to Greece, here I was introduced to open water swimming by island hopping the Greek Cyclades. It was heaven to actually swim somewhere and not have to turn around after 25m. I loved being embraced by the big open blue, having the sun on my back and waves to play with.

Moreover, I was fortunate enough to have Alison Streeter as my guide. She has swum the English Channel 44 times, is the only woman in the world to have done a three way crossing of the Channel and is therefore known as the Queen of the English Channel.  Talking to her made me feel as if I too could swim the channel.  I met her at Dover two weeks later and decided to sign up! As training, in September 2005 I swam the length of Lake Windermere and then in August 2006 I swam the English Channel.

Swim training

In preparation for this next big swim I swam Lake Zurich in July 2009. It is the same distance as the Strait and it took me just over 11 hours. I hope to complete the Cook Straight swim in 11 hours also. However this swim is far more unpredictable as, although I may be able to do the distance, factors out of my control could prevent my success. These include weather, tides, sharks, jelly fish and the cold temperatures as wetsuits are illegal for a record attempt. I will have to maintain my 2.5 Km/hour pace for the 11 hours!

By March 2010 I will know whether or not I am the first British Female to successfully conquer this amazing stretch of water. If so, then my dream will have come true. If I not, at least I will have tried and I won’t spend my life wondering whether I could have been.

Emily's favourite training location

As well has achieving a personal ambition, Emily is raising money for a disabled chair hoist at Hampton Pool where she works and trains. You can support her, and help spur her Cook Strait crossing at: www.virginmoneygiving.com/emilymorris

Hampton Pool is close to Emily’s heart. As an asthmatic she finds swimming outside very therapeutic. She says the pool is a tranquil paradise within busy London. It was saved from closure in the 1980’s by local people and is now it a charity managed by YMCA London South West and Hampton Pool Trust.  Whilst other Lidos are being shut down, Hampton Pool is getting stronger every year and is a fantastic facility. A disabled chair hoist will improve access so the pool can continue to be enjoyed by the whole community.  

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