Fatima Musa on discovering freedom via swimming

She first heard about Swim Serpentine via the London Marathon Events’ (LME) Communities Team and noticed it as an opportunity to problem herself in a totally new means.   

“I’d always wanted to learn to swim,” she says. “And I wanted to challenge myself by doing something I’d never done before. There’s something really freeing about being in the water, and I wanted to build my confidence.” 

She started her swimming journey with Tri Sisters – a grass roots initiative between Cycle Sisters and Women in Tri to encourage girls into swimming – after listening to in regards to the free newbie pool classes on provide, because of a grant from the London Marathon Foundation. 

She’s now coaching often and embracing the problem of open water swimming. Her participation displays the broader mission of London Marathon Events to make exercise extra accessible and welcoming, particularly for underrepresented teams. 

The newbie pool classes, held at Fatima’s previous secondary faculty, provided a nostalgic return to the place the place she first dipped her toes into swimming. “It was funny actually,” she says, “going back to the pool where I first started to learn to swim.”   

The classes, held final autumn, helped her to set a private aim: to swim as soon as every week within the new yr. That consistency, she says, was key to constructing her confidence. 

Now, Fatima swims two to 3 instances every week, mixing pool coaching with open water classes, just like the latest taster on the Serpentine organised by the LME Communities Team. “Open water was very daunting at first,” she admits, “but today’s session has reduced my nerves. It’s nice to do something for the first time – even if it’s a little bit scary.”

Fatima’s love of nature and motion is a thread that runs via her story. A eager runner and member of Asra Run Club – a neighborhood crew that helps Muslim girls to get energetic – she’s used to pushing her boundaries. “My main thing is running,” she says, “but one day I want to do a triathlon, so signing up for Swim Serpentine felt like a natural progression.”  

Immersing herself within the Serpentine, surrounded by bushes, geese and the scent of nature, has added a brand new dimension to her swimming expertise. “It reconnects you with your surroundings,” she says. “Especially when you work indoors and don’t get outside much – it brings me back into my senses and my body.” 

Fatima grew up in East London and has fond reminiscences of visiting Hyde Park all through her life. “I came recently and was going for a walk, then I thought: ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going to be swimming in the lake soon!’” she laughs. “It felt quite nerve-wracking but giving it a go today has helped.” 

She’s trying ahead to the camaraderie of the Swim Serpentine occasion, realizing that many others can be swimming for the primary time too. “I know lots of people from different movement communities are going to be participating,” she says. “I’m excited to see familiar faces, connect with new people, and just do something for the first time.” 

Her household and buddies can be there to cheer her on. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to see them while I swim,” she says, “but just seeing them at the end – I’m excited for that.” 

Fatima’s recommendation to anybody contemplating open water swimming is easy: “Just go for it. Don’t set yourself any big goals at the start – just focus on consistency. That’s what helped me.” 

As Swim Serpentine approaches, Fatima Musa’s story is a strong reminder of how small steps, neighborhood assist and a willingness to attempt one thing new, can result in transformative experiences – each out and in of the water. 
 
If you’re a part of a motion neighborhood and need to be taught how one can introduce swimming to your group, please e mail our Community Engagement crew.