So, yesterday, here we go… 💕 it’s a long one! 🤣

2 years ago, Jessika had her first experience of the North Channel, as Jordans support swimmer. Jess had already got the bug for open water after being taken in by the Lough Neagh Monster Dunkers, but that day, she fell in love with it and the idea of swimming it herself one day, was planted.

Jess has swam some incredible swims over the past few years, has been so committed to her training both in the pool and in the open water, has had an attitude and passion way beyond her years and proved herself ready to be offered the chance at her very own solo North Channel crossing…

The fire lit in that child’s belly that day was incomprehensible. 💕 Thank you so much Jacqueline, for seeing the potential in Jess and giving her this opportunity.

The lead up to yesterday has been full on, but so much fun! Along side the hours and hours in the pool, with her swim team Lisburn City Swimming Club, coached by Stan, who has worked tirelessly on Jessika’s technique over the years, and studying for her A levels, we’ve traveled the length of the country looking for open water training spots and met some insanely talented and inspirational people along the way. Jess, always listening, always watching and taking in everything around her to help her along on her own journey.

On Friday morning we got the message- your swim is tomorrow! – and she was so ready!!

After travelling to Bangor at 4 in the morning, we boarded Anantya with her pilot- Jacqueline, infinity crew- Jerry, observer- Jenni and her unwavering support crew, coach Dorothy, mentor and support swimmer- Chris and me, the proudest mummy in the world…. We set off and headed to Jessika’s start point.

After, a little bit of a nervous start, she jumped off the boat and swam the short distance to Robbie’s Point in Donaghadee, Northern Ireland, where her swim officially started at 06.14.

The conditions at the start of her swim, were out of this world, flat, calm, glassy beautiful waters, swimming into a picture perfect sunrise….

After only a couple of hours the fog came down, so thick you couldn’t see a thing around you, but for a while, the waters stayed calm and Jess was focused and swimming beautifully. Unfortunately Jess took a really bad sting in those first couple of hours, she hit the lions mane head first and swam straight through it, wrapping her entire body in its tentacles in the process. She was sore and shook up and was nervous of her surroundings for the rest of swim but she took some painkillers, got her head down and got on with it. She took one more bad sting and a few smaller one through out the day. I would definitely say, the jellies was the most challenging part of the swim for her.

Jerry, who Jess affectionately named- Mr Jellyfish man, ended up being her crutch through the swim, stood diligently on the side of the boat on jelly fish watch, keeping her away from them as much as possible.

The fog started lifting and the sun came back out, only for the sea state to change to fairly difficult conditions to swim in, at times the tides were against her and she was being battered about a fair bit by the chop. But still, she just kept on swimming. It was honestly, just beautiful to watch. I could watch her swim all day (and I did! 🤣) it’s mesmerising…

There were times when I could tell Jess was having to pull every single ounce of strength and resilience she has, out of the bag. Dot and Chris, didn’t take their eyes off her for a second, encouraging her when she needed a big push, laughing with her, letting her focus when she needed to focus, knowing they were always there if she needed them. Chris diving in twice as her support swimmer, just him swimming behind her gave her such a massive boost when she needed it most… but through it all, still, she just kept on swimming. I am and always will be, in total awe of her.

As we neared the end and Scotland finally came into view, Jess fought like an absolute beast to get through those last tides. Her whole demeanour changed again and she was unstoppable, she needed to get there and she absolutely smashed it…

To get the finish that she dreamt of, standing on that beach, in Portpatrick, Scotland, will stay with her forever.

She got to the beach, stood on it and just burst into sobs of total happiness, before finishing it off with a cartwheel!! 🤣🤣

Jess swam in total, 41kms, in 11 hrs 46 minutes, aged 17 years, 23 weeks and 2 days, claiming a World Record as the youngest ever swimmer to cross the North Channel.

To say I am proud of her would be a complete understatement. To show that amount of determination and dedication at such a young age is unreal.

There’s a list as long as my arm of people Jess and I need to thank for making yesterday possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you…. Xxxx

Kelly Robson Jessikas Mum