Date: Sat Mar 25th
Time: 14:00
Duration: 60 mins
Register Now“Grief is like the ocean, it comes in waves, ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim.” Vicki Harrison
Something is happening in the cold waters of the UK and Ireland. A tribe of Dry-Robed die-hards has appeared – unorganised and seemingly from nowhere – taking to our rivers, lakes and seas year-round to ease their emotional pain and find community and connection. Research confirms the mental health benefits and the tribe grows and grows, but what called them to the water and why is it such an effective remedy for those who are grieving?
In this panel event, we’ll hear from two women who found healing in the water after experiencing loss.
Cat White is a writer and filmmaker who wrote, directed and starred in Fifty-Four Days alongside Celia Imrie. The film – which has picked up awards at Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying festivals worldwide – follows the journey of a young woman who starts wild swimming in the wake of her father’s suicide. The story is inspired by her own journey after the deaths of her uncle and close friend during lockdown.
Freya Bromley is a writer and podcaster. Her memoir, The Tidal Year (out in May 2023) charts a journey of desires, losses and longing as Freya swims every tidal pool in mainland Britain after her brother’s death. On her podcast, also called The Tidal Year, Freya discovers the human stories behind why we swim.
The panel will be hosted by Good Grief’s Aisling Mustan, a fellow Dry-Robed die-hard!
Fifty-Four Days will be available to watch as part of the festival on March 25th.
*This online event will be held as a limited-capacity Zoom webinar. Registrants will receive Zoom joining details the day before the event and again the morning of the event.*
