Alison Curtis: I lived in Ireland for 20 years before I swam in the sea

"I couldn’t get over how amazing it felt, how light I felt in the water, how instantly energising it was..."

Alison Curtis. Pic: Marc O'Sullivan

Sea swimming: I know, I know, everyone is doing it! But if anything has come out of the past 18 months, it is that Ireland is an amazing country, with breathtaking scenery and loads of outdoor activities. One of those is swimming in our many lakes and all around the coast.

I grew up on a lake in Ontario, Canada, and our summers were spent in or on the water. I adore the lake: It is my calm place. I love canoeing, rafting, swimming, and snorkelling.