In this episode of Abersoch Podcast – People, Places & Stories, Abersoch Dunkers Anne Gregory and the Dunkers recently welcomed Karen Ennis into our Ocean, here in Abersoch. Ken Ennis and endurance swimming; Karen is the first UK woman to complete the extraordinary Seven Oceans Swim challenge. But behind this remarkable achievement lies a much deeper story. In this frank and deeply personal conversation, she talks about what drove her to undertake such a formidable challenge, how three devastating family tragedies shaped her journey, and why so much of her determination and energy is now dedicated to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. It’s an emotional journey of courage, loss, resilience and purpose — a story of battling the tides, both in the oceans and in life itself. We felt this was a story we simply had to share. Karen’s achievements are exceptional, but her message is one we can all take something from, whatever our age or circumstances: “You just have to keep going!” We hope you’ll give this episode a listen, share it with others who might be moved or inspired by Karen’s story, and let us know what you think. Your comments and support mean a great deal to us here in Abersoch, and help these remarkable stories reach more people. Transcript - Ocean's Seven:1.26. And I still say out of all the seven oceans or anythingelse, the hardest journey that I've ever made was the one to the local swimming pool. 3.05. When I was a child I used to watch a programme calledBlue Peter . And I thought, I can get a Blue Peter badge if I swimthe channel. 9.03. I have questioned my life choices on a number of occasions. 10.15. I know can keep going. On each of the swims you're going to hit a wall at some point. It's the same as anything in life. But there's always a way round it, over it, through it. 11.08. I got stung in one hour by the first of three men of war. ….I put my head out the water , thought I'm not going to die, did a big, big girly scream because it was so incredibly, intensely painful. 13.51. I was definitely hallucinating for part of that swim because I was convinced there was a Italian gondola in the water with me. 20.39. You know, somebody told us a long time ago when we started dunking, always respect the ocean because she'll take you if she can. 23.31. Dolphins swim with you for a bit. They look up at you like, What on earth are you doing here? This isn't your space. Yeah, they're just incredibly beautiful. There were 5 mums and they swim with their babies on their tummies and they kept coming up, turning. One mum was turning over and like letting the baby look at me almost in the water. 26.53. There's also less glamorous things like there's the chafing and the damage to your skin. When you’re in water that long. It can't be comfortable. No, it's not. It's not an elegant, ladylike sport. You get covered in Sudocrem and sun cream, so you look absolutely gross. 29.58. Unfortunately, my husband passed away part way through this exercise. 33.49. It’s a team effort and If, and this is going to soundsort of bit dramatic, my husband, although he's passed away, has been with me on every single one of those swims in my head. Alder Hey Charity Funding; 35.07. Alder Hey gave us so much care and I'm sure about£100,000, that's a big ask but we need all we can raise. 36.00. If someone is stuck or lost or simply don't know what comes next, what would Karen Ennis say to them? Stop, take a breath. There's nearly always a different way forward, and it might not be what you imagined it to be. Take the first step, there'salways somebody there to meet you. 37.36 And when people ask us Dunkers why we do it we saysimply because we meet people and that's where it starts, the community, and go from there.
