I’ve always had a deep connection to the sea. My grandfather was a coast guard, and my first career saw me join the Merchant Navy. Advancing my career shoreside saw me get further and further away from the sea and its healing properties. My time in the sea was limited to family holidays, short kayak trips, and viewing it from afar. I developed a ritual that, whenever I could get near the sea, I had to go and talk to it. It took retirement and an empty nest before I could up sticks and move to Devon. Now, I’m part of a lovely group of swimmers that regularly dip and swim at Dawlish Warren.  My prostate cancer diagnosis in early 2025 turned my life upside down, but it was the sea and our lovely swimming group that gave me the strength to face such adversity.  I’m so happy to share my love of the sea with others on their own cancer journey.