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JESSIKA ROBSON’S RECORD BREAKING SWIM: HERO OF THE WEEK

September 25, 2023 by Matthew McConnell No Comments

On Saturday 9th September 2023 at 6:14 am Jessika Robson (17) stepped into the
Irish Sea. Armed with a powerful mind, dedicated preparation and wearing a swim
skin, goggles and silicone swim cap (to comply with Irish Long Distance Swimming
Association regulations) Jessika, from Annahilt, Northern Ireland, spent the
next 11 hours and 46 minutes swimming 41 kilometres across the North Channel,
from Donaghadee Co. Down to Portpatrick in Scotland, becoming the youngest
person ever to do so.

We chatted with Jessika about her background as a swimmer, her preparations, and
her World Record Breaking swim.

Jessika Robson Swimming into the Sunrise


I GOT STUNG BY A LION’S MANE JELLYFISH ALL OVER MY BODY, FROM MY EARS TO MY LEGS

The first sting I got was within the first two hours of my swim and it was
horrific. I felt the solid part of the jellyfish hit my face and thought, “This
is gonna hurt,” so I lifted my head.  The tentacles wrapped around my whole
body, so I got stung all over, literally from my ear and chin, right down my
arms and legs, some even got down my swimsuit. I’ve never been electrocuted but
that’s what I imagined it feels like.

After I got stung I took a minute to process what just happened. More than
anything I wanted to complete the swim, so nothing was going to stop me. I just
got my head down and kept going. I was very scared of my surroundings after
that. I got another bad sting later, just on my arm that time.

The stings were sore all the way through my swim, but the cold must have been
numbing them a bit. When I finished and started to warm up, the pain really got
me. That was not a nice night!


IT CAN BE QUITE DAUNTING TO NO KNOW WHAT’S BELOW YOU

I’d say that being so far out from land can be quite daunting. You can’t just
get out if you want to and I don’t know what’s below me. I know that I’ll be
okay though because in any big swim I’ve done I’ve had a safety boat with me
(Infinity Channel Swimming). Having them there puts my mind at ease.


I’VE LEARNT TO JUST KEEP GOING

By completing the swim I learnt that I can push through mental barriers. I’m
mentally strong enough to keep going even when it gets difficult. I’ve learnt to
just keep going, especially when my muscles are feeling tired, and I want to get
out and stop the aches.

Jessika Robson Swims The North Channel


I STOPPED EVERY 30 MINUTES TO FEED.

I stopped every 30 minutes to feed. During my feeds, I had carb powder mixed
with warm water or energy gel mixed with warm water. I alternated between the
two during my feeds. I also ate chocolate buttons, jam sandwiches cut up small
and crepes with a little bit of chocolate in them, again cut up really small to
make them easier to eat.


I USE MUSIC TO KEEP ME GOING

I use music to keep me going. I had my playlist going the entire 11 hours that I
swam, from a speaker on the boat. I like that because instead of thinking about
how cold I am or how tired I am, I can listen to music and sing along to that
and distract myself. I also have everybody around me telling me to keep going
and that I’m doing really well. 


THAT IS WHEN I REALIZED THAT I WAS GOING TO FINISH

The sunrise was beautiful, it was dark for the first hour of my swim, so seeing
it get lighter was really reassuring. I couldn’t see anything for most of the
swim because of the fog, so when we got out of that, and I saw Scotland I knew I
was near. That moment for me made me really start to dig in and swim a little
harder. When I first saw Scotland, I could see huge cliffs, and as we got closer
I could start to see all these little colourful buildings. That is when I
realized that I was going to finish my swim soon.




I ONLY STARTED OPEN WATER DURING LOCKDOWN

I started pool swimming when I was about 6 and have loved swimming since then. I
joined Lisburn City Swimming Club 8 years ago, and only started the open water
during lockdown in 2020. I tend to have one speed, whether I’m doing a 400 a
1500 or a 5km! 

When I was 13, I came first in the 1500 in my age group at the Irish Summer
Nationals, I think that’s when I thought, “Oh! I might be good at this!” I then
started to focus on the distance events more. I’m good at getting in my own head
and settling into my swim, that’s super important for me, especially on the
really long events. 


ORGANISATION IS THE KEY TO MY SUCCESS

I’ve been swimming in the pool for years so I’ve always been really good with
routine. I tend to get homework done during study periods at school or while I’m
waiting at the pool before training. To be honest it’s all just about being
organized. A lot of my friends are at school or at the pool and I try to get out
with them on the weekend. My mums really good at making sure that I don’t just
swim and is always happy to run me around to friends when I’ve got a spare few
hours 


I SWAM MOST DAYS FOR UP TO 4 HOURS AT A TIME.

The majority of my training is in the pool with Lisburn City Swim Club. I did
about 15 hours of training a week, but during the summer when the pool season
finished, I swam in the sea, mainly at Donaghadee, where I swam most days for up
to 4 hours at a time.


THE OPEN-WATER COMMUNITY IS INCREDIBLE

I had the best boat crew from Infinity Channel Swimming. Jacqueline, Jerry, my
mum Kelly, Chris (support swimmer) and Dorothy Johnston (Open Water coach) were
all on the boat. Having their support really helped me get through the tough
moments like the jellyfish stings, because they said “Keep going you’ve got
this”.

Leading up to the swim, I met so many amazing people! The open-water community
is incredible. Everyone is always ready to give advice and encouragement and I
took a lot away from that. 

Left to Right: Jordan Leckey (Fastest Solo North Channel Crossing Record
Holder), Chris Judge (Support Swimmer), Jessika Robson, Dorothy Johnston (Open
Water Coach), Kelly Robson (Jessika’s Mother)


I STARTED CRYING WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BEACH IN SCOTLAND

I really enjoyed it. Getting out of the fog and seeing Scotland and the finish
line made me really happy. When I stepped onto the beach I started crying
because I couldn’t believe I actually did it. I was so proud of myself.


NEVER FORGET THAT YOU’RE DOING IT BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT.

I’d say the main thing is to focus on your end goal and surround yourself with
positive, motivational people. Don’t ever be afraid to ask for advice, take it
all in and put it into practice. Stay focused and just keep working hard. Always
remember, there’ll be tough times but never forget that you’re doing it because
you love it. Never lose the fun of it.


I GENUINELY JUST LOVE IT SO WILL SEE WHERE IT TAKES ME NEXT.

The next big thing on my list is to get the Irish Open Water Swimming
Association Triple Crown, consisting of The North Channel (Ireland to Scotland,
or vice versa. Straight-line distance of 35km) the Galway Bay Swim (Aughinish in
Co.Clare to the Blackrock Diving Tower in Salthill, Co.Galway, in either
direction. Straight line distance of 10.5km) and Fastnet Lighthouse Swim
(Fastnet Rock to Baltimore Pier in Co.Cork, in either direction. Straight-line
distance 20.5km).

Honestly, after that, I’m just going with the flow, I feel like I’ve got many
many years in open water. I genuinely just love it so will see where it takes me
next.


IF YOU ENJOYED THIS CHECK THESE OUT:

Guy O’Leary’s Uptide Battle: Hero Of The Week

She Summits Trail Running: Hero Of The Week

Ellie Berry Climbed Every Mountain In Ireland: Hero Of The Week

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