Hampshire woman , 82, swims in sea for first time

Octogenarian Alma Hadley has lived in Lee-on-the-Solent all her life but has been too apprehensive to brace the brisk waters of Hill Head beach.

That was before she joined The Solent Splashers, a group created with the aim of encouraging people to get in the sea and meet new people.

Since joining in the summer, Alma has not looked back.

Alma Hadley with Chris Langrish, founder of The Solent Splashers (Image: Newsquest)“I swim in a local swimming pool, and I have always wanted to swim in the sea, but because of my age I have always been too scared to come down myself and go in.

“I needed the confidence and somebody to help me.

“Solent Splashers was recommended to me by my brother this year. At the time, I was 81 and had never been in the sea.

“Chris Langrish, who created the group, encouraged me to paddle in the sea first.

“From that moment I became part of the group.”

She added: “Many, many years ago, when I was 28, I was widowed with two children. I have done lots of things in aid of mental health, but doing this has made me a different person.

“It has changed my life for the better.”

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Change is what propelled Chris, 52, to create the group amid the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

He was getting a divorce from his ex-wife and needed an outlet.

What started as a ‘lockdown challenges’ group grew and grew until it became Solent Splashers, which boasts more than 1,000 members.

“We meet to swim, but the group is about making new friends and brining people together”, Chris said.

Alma Hadley and Chris Langrish, far right, with The Solent Splashers (Image: Newsquest) Chris added that he never expected to help someone overcome their fear of sea swimming.

He said: “Alma followed the group for a while and she used to come and socialise and tell me she would love to be out in the sea with us, but never felt brave enough.

“Each day, I managed to get her to paddle in the sea and go a bit further.

“Alma was apprehensive about sea swimming, even though she has lived in Lee-on-Solent all her life. She is now like a giggling teenager in the water, having fun and laughing.

“I never expected this to happen, but my motto is ‘do hard things for an easy life’, which Alma appreciates.”

The Solent Splashers group can be found on Facebook, with meetings held weekly at Hill Head Beach.