Arctic Polar Swim draws nearer for Suzy

Crossmichael resident Suzy Rook, who recently talked about living in the Glenkens and making the most of the wonderful countryside and lochs for mental health and wellbeing in the Our Glenkens project, is nearing the final stages of her preparation for her Arctic Polar swim, raising money for two vital charities supporting people with mental health issues and thyroid cancer.

Suzy will head to Svalbard in June to swim 1000m in just a swimsuit and goggles - no wetsuit, gloves or thermal footwear!

Suzy has a long been an enthusiastic advocate for the benefits of being in nature and for cold water swimming for wellbeing. She is one of the two founders of Crossmichael Swim Queens, supporting women to try cold water swimming in a safe and supportive environment. She is a mum of three, works as a social worker, volunteers as a Trustee for the Loch Ken Trust, as well as being an ex-Scotland international rugby player.

Recovering from surgery for thyroid cancer, Suzy decided to set herself the challenge of taking a cold water dip every day up until her arctic swim in June 2026, with the goal of raising money for Back Onside, a charity which aims to ensure that nobody faces their mental health journey alone, and Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust, a group dedicated solely to the support of patients with thyroid cancer.

You can donate here to support Suzy's charities and hear more in her own words about why these two causes are so personally important to her: