My name is Hayley Crawshaw. I am a Wild Swimming Walking Guide, Outdoor and Adventure Therapist, and retreat host over at Pink Pagoda Retreats.
Finding meaning and purpose has always been a huge part of how I live my life. After becoming a young widow in 2018, more than ever, those goals determined how I moved forward. Wild swimming, whilst definitely not a cure-all, (contrary to what you might read on social media), helped me manage profound grief. Hillwalking too, especially feeling the wind on my face, helped me negotiate a life that I hadn’t expected. A literal case of putting one foot in front of the other.
Within a few weeks of Rich’s death I knew that when I felt able to, I had to use my experiences and skills to help others. Now is that time. As well as having decades of experience in the hills, and many years experience of swimming in cold water, usually without a wetsuit, I am qualified in open water safety and rescue, and outdoors first aid. I am also a qualified Lowland Leader, and trainee Hill and Moorland Leader. Please click here to see a list of my relevant qualifications and CPD.
All swim hike locations are risk assessed beforehand. One of my former careers was as a risk and compliance specialist for law firms, so risk analysis is in my blood. Rest assured that even if we’re talking about the nicest cheddar we’ve ever tasted, I’ll be subconsciously risk-assessing the environment we’re in, to keep us as safe as possible. Appropriate insurance is also in place.
Last but by no means least, why Little Blue? Well as you can see from some of the pics I often wear a blue retro swimming cap, I’m not the biggest person physically, oh and I have blue hair! Which is of course my natural colour.
