Fatima’s story is one of quiet determination and community support.
She first heard about Swim Serpentine through the London Marathon Events’ (LME) Communities Team and saw it as a chance to challenge herself in a completely new way.
“I’d always wanted to learn to swim,” she says. “And I wanted to challenge myself by doing something I’d never done before. There’s something really freeing about being in the water, and I wanted to build my confidence.”
She began her swimming journey with Tri Sisters – a grass roots initiative between Cycle Sisters and Women in Tri to encourage women into swimming – after hearing about the free beginner pool sessions on offer, thanks to a grant from the London Marathon Foundation.
She’s now training regularly and embracing the challenge of open water swimming. Her participation reflects the broader mission of London Marathon Events to make activity more accessible and welcoming, especially for underrepresented groups.
The beginner pool sessions, held at Fatima’s old secondary school, offered a nostalgic return to the place where she first dipped her toes into swimming. “It was funny actually,” she says, “going back to the pool where I first started to learn to swim.”
The sessions, held last autumn, helped her to set a personal goal: to swim once a week in the new year. That consistency, she says, was key to building her confidence.
Now, Fatima swims two to three times a week, mixing pool training with open water sessions, like the recent taster at the Serpentine organised by the LME Communities Team. “Open water was very daunting at first,” she admits, “but today’s session has reduced my nerves. It’s nice to do something for the first time – even if it’s a little bit scary.”
Fatima’s love of nature and movement is a thread that runs through her story. A keen runner and member of Asra Run Club – a community crew that supports Muslim women to get active – she’s used to pushing her boundaries. “My main thing is running,” she says, “but one day I want to do a triathlon, so signing up for Swim Serpentine felt like a natural progression.”
Immersing herself in the Serpentine, surrounded by trees, ducks and the scent of nature, has added a new dimension to her swimming experience. “It reconnects you with your surroundings,” she says. “Especially when you work indoors and don’t get outside much – it brings me back into my senses and my body.”
Fatima grew up in East London and has fond memories of visiting Hyde Park throughout her life. “I came recently and was going for a walk, then I thought: ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going to be swimming in the lake soon!’” she laughs. “It felt quite nerve-wracking but giving it a go today has helped.”
She’s looking forward to the camaraderie of the Swim Serpentine event, knowing that many others will be swimming for the first time too. “I know lots of people from different movement communities are going to be participating,” she says. “I’m excited to see familiar faces, connect with new people, and just do something for the first time.”
Her family and friends will be there to cheer her on. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to see them while I swim,” she says, “but just seeing them at the end – I’m excited for that.”
Fatima’s advice to anyone considering open water swimming is simple: “Just go for it. Don’t set yourself any big goals at the start – just focus on consistency. That’s what helped me.”
As Swim Serpentine approaches, Fatima Musa’s story is a powerful reminder of how small steps, community support and a willingness to try something new, can lead to transformative experiences – both in and out of the water.
If you’re part of a movement community and want to learn how you can introduce swimming to your group, please email our Community Engagement team.