Team
Name:
Grant / G / Captain / Oi you
What do you do/what is your role in DS?
Fleet Admiral
Describe yourself in three words:
Random, discombobulated, persistent
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Daily when i realise it’s all bravado
What is your favourite film, book or song?
Desperado
What is your most important bit of kit for dipping:
stinky dog mat
Tell me a secret:
It’s all made up
Name:
Lene Hops
What do you do/what is your role in DS?
Co-Founder & ‘People-Person’
Tell us about your first time dipping with the DS crew:
It was February and icy, my two friends who were in the water with me said ‘never again!’ while I was buzzing and wanted to dip regularly. Piotr from Stol coffee introduced Grant & me to each other, as we had just been in the sea at the same time but on different sides of the pier. Next day we dipped together.
Describe yourself in three words:
Enthusiastic, excited, Master-manifester
Tell me a secret:
Honestly? I can’t think of anything where I go ‘NO ONE can ever know this!’ I’m a very open person
Name:
James/Jimbob
What do you do/what is your role in DS?
I take photos every morning.
Tell us about your first time dipping with the DS crew:
Watching people dipping from the shore I felt an obligation to capture these moments for them to see the range of emotions that getting in the sea at sunrise can bring. I remember the feeling of warmth from the sun hitting my face. I told myself ‘I like this, let’s do it more often.’
Describe yourself in three words:
Welly trousered Photographer
What is your most embarrassing moment?
In primary school gymnastics, I did a forward roll and farted halfway through it. I stood up at the end of the manoeuvre, put my arms in the air to show that move was completed and said ‘Pardon me’
What is your favourite film?
‘A Clockwork Orange’. The book is a tough read.
Tell me a secret:
My pin number is 3296
Name:
Sarah-Jane / SJ
What do you do/what is your role in DS?
The new Master of Merch. And co-creator of full moon magic with the Moon Mermaids
Tell us about your first time dipping with the DS crew:
A one-off visit from Lancashire to tick off a sunrise sea swim from the bucket list; never for one minute thinking I’d end up moving to Wales and joining a cwlt!
Describe yourself in three words:
Loudest laugh ever
What is your favourite film?
Mary Poppins (The Julie Andrews version)
What is your most important bit of kit for dipping:
Neoprene socks & gloves to protect my delicate raynauds
Name:
Sarah T
What do you do/what is your role in DS?
The admin fairy; organising, scheduling and planning behind the scenes.
Tell us about your first time dipping with the DS crew:
May 2021 I came to the shore and did my first official DS dip, from the outflow pipe side. There were about ten of us then, a super small group and it was brilliant. I shivered like mad afterwards but the tea and chats made the shivers go away.
Describe yourself in three words:
Organised, bookworm, houseplantobsessive
What is your favourite book?
Matilda by Roald Dahl. It’s a truly magical story that leaves a warm fuzzy feeling in my tummy
What is your most important bit of kit for dipping:
My sister in law gave me an enamel mug with a sea dipper on it for my 40th and as well as it being super lovely it’s also really helpful for warming my hands after a dip. I’ve attached it to my kit bag with a multicoloured neon strap that my son made me at cubs.
Name:
Michala / Mic
What do you do/what is your role in DS?
Moon Mermaids celestial curator. Cold water immersion science know-it-all.
Tell us about your first time dipping with the DS crew:
Samhain 2021 – torrential rain and stormy seas – perfect introduction to the realities of dipping
Describe yourself in three words:
Grounded, analytical, heart-led
Tell me a secret:
The moon impacts you more than you know!
Name:
Steve
What do you do/what is your role in DS?
Creative, web
Describe yourself in three words:
Smaller than Grants
What is your most embarrassing moment?
I once worked for a charity and was playing golf with the head of a large publisher who wanted to support our work. My golf skills would qualify for this entry on their own but I also accidentally broke wind while taking a practise swing on the tee.
What is your favourite song?
One Moment by OK GO
What is your most important bit of kit for dipping:
Swim shorts
Name:
Kat
What do you do/what is your role in DS?
Photo bombing every single time lapse recording.
Describe yourself in three words:
Silly, swimming, siren.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Realising that the coastguard had been called on my behalf, despite me being perfectly safe.
What is your favourite film, book or song(s)?
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
What is your most important bit of kit for dipping?
Friends
Tell me a secret:
I would love to swim across the Bristol Channel
Name:
JT
What do you do/what is your role in DS?
Press/PR liaison, event organiser, general get-shit-done-r
Describe yourself in three words:
Confused but compassionate
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Thought I’d pooed the bed on a school trip in Year 7 – turned out I’d just fallen asleep with a chocolate éclair sweet in my hand.
What is your favourite film, book or song(s)?
Cormac McCarthy’s The Border Trilogy
What is your most important bit of kit for dipping:
Deep breaths
Tell me a secret:
Everyone is winging it
Name:
Kath
What do you do/what is your role in DS?
Cat Wrangler
Tell us about your first time dipping with the DS crew:
Lene and a total stranger were just THE MOST supportive and helpful people. It was cold.
Describe yourself in three words:
Yellow Haired Weirdo
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Coming into work one day ranting that someone had parked like a fricking idiot only to find out it was my boss… who I was ranting to. Haunts me to this day.
What is your favourite film, book or song(s)?
Float On by Modest Mouse and Coffee & TV by Blur
Tell me a secret:
I’ve got the key…