First blind woman to swim Channel backs initiative

The first blind woman to swim the English Channel has backed a drive to make sea swimming more accessible for blind and partially sighted people.

Double Paralympic champion Melanie Barratt said she was "so excited" to support the Gateway to the Sea initiative.

"I know how hard it was to take those first initial steps into the water," she said.

Participants will practise at Sea Lanes Brighton, an outdoor pool, and in the sea itself with coaches, guides and experienced swimmers to gain confidence in the water.

More than four million adults now swim in lakes, rivers and the sea each year, which can improve their physical and mental wellbeing, according to the University of Brighton.

But for the some two million people living with sight loss in the UK, concerns around safety and navigation, limited access to support, and a lack of opportunities to build confidence in the water can make participation far more difficult, it adds.

Barratt, who was born with congenital toxoplasmosis that severely affected her vision, said she was "hooked" after being helped to get into sea swimming.

"I remember longing to swim... from place to place, even country to country - but I thought it would be impossible."

She added that she always loved being in the water.

"The feeling of literally being immersed in nature; the sounds, smells, colours and sensations were just like nothing else," she said.

"I fell in love with the personal challenge it gave me and one thing led to another."

Melanie spent decades competing at the highest levels of international sport before becoming the first blind woman to successfully swim the English Channel.

Organisers hope the project will create a model that can be developed in other locations to help make sea swimming more accessible.

The initiative is led by the University of Brighton researchers in partnership with British Blind Sport, SwimTrek and Red Equipment.

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