SCOTT DAWSON
I was born in 1978 in Wigan, the only water close by was a lake! However I started swimming at 15 months old having contracted Meningitis. My parents were advised by the doctors that swimming would aid me in my rehabilitation. It gave me massive strength and focus, leading me to compete internationally, until my mum won a sailing holiday whilst at the hairdressers when I was 9 and I had to make a choice which sport I would continue competitively.
I chose sailing which has shaped much of my life since,
including enabling me to travel the world and meet my wife of 9 years, Polly.
Having been bought up with swimming and sailing we have ensured that both Matilda and Alfie are waterbabies, with the youngest Alfie swimming unaided at 1!
Having spent a number of years surfing the sofa and only sailing recreationally, I had a health scare in 2014 after eating an unassuming hazelnut, and decided it was time to get fit again, and so went to a swim fit class at our local pool with my neighbour – I haven’t looked back! I was inspired to take part in a Cross Solent Swim from Stokes Bay to Ryde in aid of the Oakley Waterman Foundation – unfortunately all this did was inspire me further and have now set my sights firmly on swimming round the Isle of Wight, unaided and non-stop! I will only be the 5th person to achieve this feat of endurance.
I was born in 1978 in Wigan, the only water close by was a lake! However I started swimming at 15 months old having contracted Meningitis. My parents were advised by the doctors that swimming would aid me in my rehabilitation. It gave me massive strength and focus, leading me to compete internationally, until my mum won a sailing holiday whilst at the hairdressers when I was 9 and I had to make a choice which sport I would continue competitively.
I chose sailing which has shaped much of my life since,
including enabling me to travel the world and meet my wife of 9 years, Polly.
Having been bought up with swimming and sailing we have ensured that both Matilda and Alfie are waterbabies, with the youngest Alfie swimming unaided at 1!Having spent a number of years surfing the sofa and only sailing recreationally, I had a health scare in 2014 after eating an unassuming hazelnut, and decided it was time to get fit again, and so went to a swim fit class at our local pool with my neighbour – I haven’t looked back! I was inspired to take part in a Cross Solent Swim from Stokes Bay to Ryde in aid of the Oakley Waterman Foundation – unfortunately all this did was inspire me further and have now set my sights firmly on swimming round the Isle of Wight, unaided and non-stop! I will only be the 5th person to achieve this feat of endurance.
As part of my fitness training over the last two years I
have completed a 24 Hour team endurance run, a half iron man, multiple half marathons and 2 back to back marathons – as well as becoming the Rooster 4000 2014 National
Champion with Jason Kirk. 