Blind Swimmer Seeks Chaperone for Wild Adventures

Simon Wilkes, a 47-year-old man from March, Cambridgeshire, who is registered blind, is seeking a dedicated chaperone to facilitate his regular participation in open water swimming. Wilkes describes wild swimming as a deeply beneficial activity, providing a sense of being "bracing, invigorating and refreshing" that positively impacts his mental and physical well-being.

Currently, Wilkes feels confined to his back garden swimming pool, comparing the experience to being a "captive dolphin." He has experienced the joys of open water on a few occasions, recounting a memorable swim in Ely with escort swans and a sea swim at Sea Palling, Norfolk, where he was accompanied by seals. However, these experiences are infrequent due to his inability to afford professional care and the lack of available friends or family.

March Fen Fins, an outdoor swimming group, welcomes swimmers of all abilities. However, they require that individuals have a chaperone if they need assistance, emphasizing that "everybody is responsible for themselves around water." British Blind Sport suggests two guiding options: a competent swimmer accompanying him, either tethered or untethered, or using communication devices from a distance, similar to how Melanie Barratt swam the English Channel. While no official qualification for water guiding exists, resources from Guide Dogs and organizations like Have a Go Day may offer guidance.