I started pool swimming at the age of 7 in Wales in the UK, where I’m from. I competed until the age of 15 and progressed to the Welsh Development squad. I eventually reached a crossroads and had to decide whether to dedicate my life to swimming or open up my world. I started developing other passions and interests and decided to move away from swimming. Until this point swimming was all I knew and I was ready for a change.
After years of chlorine, I turned to saltwater and began surfing; it was this sport that shaped my life. After completing university (Graphic Design) instead of pursuing a job in what I had spent the last 3 years studying, I moved to Cornwall in the SW of the UK to become a beach lifeguard. Over the next 8 years I dedicated my life to the beach and the ocean. I spent my summers in Cornwall, working as an RNLI lifeguard and surfing instructor so that I could spend my winters surfing in tropical destinations. I spent 4-6 months every winter in surf breaks in countries like Indonesia, Sri Lanka, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
During my years in Cornwall I started swimming in the sea more frequently, swimming in beautiful coves and beaches around the south west coast. When I shared my swims on social media many people became curious to try, so I set up a “wild swimming” community club in the town of Newquay where I lived. We held weekly swims so people could swim together and within a few weeks we had dozens of members. This continued for 3 years.
In 2016 I was fed up with the British weather and wanted more time living an outdoor lifestyle, so I set up a business so that I could work remotely. I moved to Portugal later that year. My first 4 years were spent in Algarve and although I wasn’t doing much swimming I spent most mornings dipping in the sea. When I moved to Cascais in 2020 this continued, but at this point in time the ocean became a lifeline.
During the following 3 years I went through a series of health challenges including a cancer diagnosis. Daily sunrise dips became a coping mechanism during the most difficult time of my life. Thankfully after many surgeries and various treatments my health became stable again and the ocean dips were replaced with ocean swims.
In 2024 I started training for my first 70.3 event. I started swimming longer and longer distances and eventually swam my first 10km marathon swim in July 2025. I did 100% of my swim training for both events in the ocean and because of this Cascais Bay has become my second home. Swimming has always been a part of me but it is the ocean specifically that has my heart because it offers a type of peace that can be hard to find anywhere else. I’m now training for SwimGP 20km Ultra Swim and a full Ironman in Cascais 2026. I am really looking forward to making new connections and swimming friends now that I've joined Swim4Fun.
Candy Tomkins
half mermaid, half ironwomen! soon to be full!