International Women’s Day Special: The Big Swim: Why women swim: Nicky Chisholm, Dr Heather Massey, Jo Moseley, Tash Sones and Professor Joyce Harper

In this International Women’s Day special, Joyce Harper is joined by Big Swim organiser Nicky Chisholm, cold-water physiology researcher Dr Heather Massey, wild swimming author Tash Sones, and paddleboard author Jo Moseley to explore why women swim, what it gives them, and how community in the water can support wellbeing.

They discuss the Big Swim (Brighton and Poole), a joyful, costume-filled mass dip that brings women together to celebrate International Women’s Day and raise money for Surfers Against Sewage. The group shares personal stories of how their love of water began, the sisterhood and sense of belonging that comes from swimming together, and why the sea can feel like a shortcut to deeper, more honest conversations.

Tickets for the Big Swim Brighton are available from Eventbrite

And The Big Swim Poole are available here.

Tickets for the Meet the Authors panel discussion in Brighton before the Big Swim  available here.

Books:

Natasha Sones:

Swimming Wild in South East England by Vertebrate Publishing is available to pre-order from 10 February 2026. *Click here to pre-order the book from 10 February 2026, and you could win a 33L Waterproof Tote Bag from Red Equipment, worth £99.95

Jo Moseley:

Stand Up Paddleboarding in Great Britain - Beautiful Places to Paddleboard in England, Scotland and Wales (2022) Shortlisted for The Great Outdoors Magazine Book/Writer of the Year 2022 

Stand Up Paddleboarding in the Lake District - Beautiful Places to Paddleboard in Cumbria (2024) Winner of the Lakeland Book Awards Zeffirellis Prize for Guides and Places 2025 

Adventures on the Water - the Power of Paddleboarding to Change Lives - Shortlisted for The Great Outdoors Writer/Book of the Year 2026 

All with Vertebrate Publishing! 

Joyce Harper:

Your Fertile Years: What you need to know to make informed choices. Sheldon Press, 2021

Your Joyful Years: empowering good health and happiness beyond 50: Out on 20 March followed by a UK tour talking to women about how they can lead their best lives ever.