Nicky Mather signed up for this 58km non-stop, non-wetsuited sea swim around Jersey challenge in 2021.
On a training swim in 2022 Nicky swam over a lion’s mane jellyfish at her local Portobello beach in Edinburgh and was stung all over the chest. In the process of inspecting the sting she discovered a lump that was not the work of a jellyfish. 3 weeks later she had been diagnosed with breast cancer, booked in for surgery, and started on hormone therapy. After two rounds of surgery, 16 weeks of chemotherapy, intensive radiotherapy and further preventative treatment and medication she has gradually re-built her life.
It was important to Nicky to return to things that were not possible during treatment, including this swimming challenge. It has taken two years to carefully build back her swim fitness and cold-water acclimatisation to be ready whilst also balancing her recovery needs.
The swim
This swim requires a large helping hand from the formidable Jersey tides and currents and very little wind. Nicky had been allocated a five-day slot in which she could complete the swim, so really needed some luck for the right conditions to align! It didn’t look like she would get the low-wind forecast needed at all. On Thursday morning just as she had resigned herself to not swimming and was preparing to go to work, she received a message from the pilot saying: “Come to Jersey now – we’re swimming Saturday, meet at the boat 7.30am”. So, then a scramble to get herself and crew from Edinburgh to Jersey, supplies organised and to prepare herself mentally for swimming again.
When Nicky finally stepped off the boat and swam to the wall at Elizabeth Castle signalling the swim start, she felt so grateful to be able to do the swim at last. The first two hours of the swim involved navigating around jaggy rocks so Nicky had to be separated from the main support boat and escorted by a very small boat until they reached deeper waters. She was very glad to be reunited with my support boat and ready for her first feed!
During the swim it is forbidden to be helped in any way: use of buoyancy or thermal aids and sports watches are banned, no one can touch the swimmer, and the swimmer cannot touch the boat. Fuelling has to happen whilst treading water. Nicky’s husband fed her liquid carbohydrate drink from the boat every 45 minutes via a rope and bottle. Nicky also likes peaches in syrup as a treat to soothe the mouth and throat from ingesting too much salt water! It’s important to feed fast and keep swimming to avoid losing the tidal advantage so each pit-stop was no more than 15 seconds.
During the first six hours of the swim conditions were smooth, and Nicky enjoyed swimming past the different places where she had trained for this swim over the past few years. Jersey is a bit like a rectangle and every time she turned a “corner” she noticed the water became suddenly confused and could feel the currents pulling her in different ways. The second half of the swim, the wind picked up and it became much more wavey and choppy. It was hard to see much other than the very large barrel jellyfish whizzing past underneath Nicky on the currents. Nicky did however notice the large ferry gliding past at one point and a speeding RIB that came a bit too close to the boat for the pilot’s liking!!! Nicky was very grateful to have a very experienced, alert pilot and crew to keep her safe in very busy waters.
The final 45 minutes were really tough, swimming very tired into a headwind. Nicky was very relieved and delighted to touch the walls of Elizabeth Castle again 11 hours 41 minutes after starting!
Nicky says:
Overall it was a beautiful and special swim. Touching the finishing wall was not just about completing the swim – it was about celebrating what is possible and making the most of each day. This swim is dedicated to the amazing NHS staff at the Western General Hospital and my local Colinton GP surgery. Their swift interventions, expertise and support are the reason I am here and was able to finally complete this swim.”
Oliver Young’s Clinical Director Edinburgh Breast Unit, said:
On behalf of the team at NHS Lothian Charity’s Breast Cancer Institute, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Nicky. What she has achieved following her diagnosis and treatment is remarkable.
“We are in awe of her determination, resilience and commitment in taking on and completing this incredible challenge. We are deeply touched that she chose to do this to show her appreciation for our work and to support breast cancer patients, their families and loved ones, as well as the staff who care for them.
“Thanks to Nicky’s outstanding efforts and generosity, we can continue to fund innovative projects that make a real difference to people’s lives. From transforming hospital spaces to provide comfort and wellbeing, to supporting pioneering research that offers hope for the future, every donation helps us enhance care and improve outcomes for those affected by breast cancer.”
Tumong Edwards, Community and Events Fundraiser at NHS Lothian Charity, adds:
Nicky’s achievement is nothing short of inspiring. Completing a 58km non-stop sea swim would be an incredible feat under any circumstances, but to do so after undergoing treatment for breast cancer makes it even more remarkable.
“Nicky’s swim is a reminder of the impact our NHS staff have on people’s lives. Her challenge was inspired by the care she received, and now her fundraising will help ensure others benefit from the same high-quality support in the future. A huge well done from all of us and thank you Nicky for making such a difference.”
Nicky is hoping to raise £4,000 for the Breast Cancer Institute Fund at the Western General Hospital which is held within and managed by NHS Lothian Charity. The money raised will support breast cancer research, specialist equipment, education and enhancements to the patient experience.
