More Than a Swim: A Moment of Joy, Courage, and Connection

Sophie and Oona getting into Shepperton Lake

In the quiet early hours of the Level Water Wild Swim Relay at Shepperton, something extraordinary happened. Amid the steady rhythm of swimmers entering the lake and the hum of support teams onshore, an 11-year-old girl named Oona took to the open water for the very first time—with her swimming hero, Sophie, by her side.

Oona, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, first discovered Sophie in 2023 while following her record-breaking English Channel swim. From her home in Edinburgh, she tracked every stroke, asking her mum repeatedly:
"Has she made it yet?"

Swimming isn’t just a sport for Oona—it’s her freedom. And this weekend, that freedom took on a whole new shape.

A Dream Realised

The Shepperton event was more than just Oona’s first open water event—it was a dream realized. The moment she arrived, the Level Water team was ready, guiding her to the edge of the lake. Sophie was waiting, and together, they climbed into the water.

Oona swam confidently through the 400m course, cheered on by the ADOWS Ducks (Adaptive and Disabled Open Water Swimmers) team and a community of swimmers from across the UK. She finished with no fear, just joy—beaming from ear to ear.

As Sophie later shared:

“The whole team felt so much joy being able to show a young para-swimmer what it’s like at an open water event—and most importantly, what those with disabilities are capable of when they work together toward a common goal.”

More Than a Swim

This wasn’t just a personal milestone—it was a shared celebration of access, representation, and possibility.

Oona’s story is one of hundreds shaped by the Level Water 24-Hour Relay. Across the weekend, over £75,000 was raised to fund 1-to-1 swimming lessons for disabled children across the UK. Behind every donation and every swim was a belief in what water gives: independence, joy, connection.

As Oona said afterward, reflecting on her experience:
“Swimming is where I feel free.”

Thank You

To Sophie and the ADOWS Ducks team, to every swimmer, volunteer, and supporter at Shepperton—thank you. You made this moment possible.

And to Oona: we can’t wait to see you on the banks of many more lakes.

🐥💦❤️