Swim Meet: Lauren

Swim Meet is a conversation series with members of our Crew – the community of local guides and water safety experts who are integral to creating our network of cross-country swimming routes throughout the UK and beyond.

In this edition, we hear from Lauren, one of our guides in the Lake District who will help show you around our Buttermere Classic route.

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi, I’m Lauren and I’m based up in the lake District. I’m an open water swimming coach and a guide, as well as a run and triathlon coach.

What do you enjoy about the RuckRaft and cross country swimming?

The thing I love most about using a RuckRaft is how it opens up so many more adventures and so much more freedom. You can go out for a long swim and then carry on with an amazing walk afterwards, camping and then heading off for another long swim – all while carrying your kit behind you.

What is your favourite RuckRaft Adventure so far?

It would have to be a trip I did around June 2021 where a few of us started in Buttermere, swam across and then headed up High Stile and Red Pike. The sunset was worth the hike up! We slept outside because it was so hot – I used my RuckRaft as a pillow! The following morning, we walked down and swam across Crummock Water and back to the starting point. An amazing few days.

What is the most important thing to pack for a trip?

Snacks! Pack more than you think. I always make sure I have a lot of high energy snacks like chocolate, cereal bars and bananas.

What trips are on your bucket list?

I try and make sure my trips are as low carbon emission as possible. I like to get on my bike and cycle somewhere. I’d also like to hop on the ferry over to Norway, maybe hire a bike and go and explore around the fjords. I’m sure there are loads more places I haven’t even thought of.

Read more about about Lauren’s route, the Buttermere Classic and our other routes around the UK here