REAL WOMEN WEAR DEAKIN AND BLUE: Rhona

In our new series: Real Women Wear D&B, we are enjoying talking with a variety of different Deakin and Blue customers about their swimming and their relationship with swimwear. 

In this, our second post, we had a brilliant time talking to Rhona, who is 28 and lives and swims in London. 

Rhona - thank you so much for having a chat with us today. To kick us off, why don't you tell us a little bit about you.

I’m a 28-year-old teacher living and working in London. At the end of a hectic and busy day, I like to do something for me by doing some exercise and then cooking myself some delicious food.

A woman after our own heart! Tell us a bit more about your exercise routine and how swimming fits into that...

I really enjoy exercise and it's an important part of my weekly routine. Most weeks I go to gym classes, attend a running club and play hockey so it's a busy week. I've recently started swimming once a week (on Friday evenings) which is currently the only day of my week that doesn't have some other sport or exercise crammed into it! I love kicking off my weekend with a swim and it's a perfect way to decompress after a busy week. I’m very fortunate that there is a gym and swimming pool in my flat complex so I don’t have far to go!

How long have you been swimming for?

Like many people I learnt to swim when I was growing up but as soon as I started secondary school I got into team sports and then when I left school I started running and going to gym classes.

However, a couple of months ago I signed up for the London Marathon and got chatting to someone at my running club who had done it last year. I was explaining that my main worry was getting injured and he said that he added swimming to his training plan and it made a huge difference; as it’s low impact you can get some exercise in, whilst giving your leg muscles a bit of a break. This made a lot of sense to me and as there is a swimming pool just downstairs, I thought I’d take it up again!

What do you enjoy most about swimming?

Firstly, I’m enjoying the fact that swimming is giving me a change from my usual fitness routine and is giving me a new challenge. I’m not a very strong swimmer at all, so I’m having to really focus on what I’m doing. Secondly, I’m very into mindfulness so I’m trying to be a mindful swimmer by thinking about the feel of the water, the sounds around me and how my breathing is doing. By doing this, it is helping me to unwind and relax at the end of a busy week.

Do you swim mostly on your own or with others?

Mostly on my own, but sometimes with friends.

Have you got a favourite swim or swim spot?

As a newbie to swimming, I only really have my local pool but maybe one day I’ll branch out and do something more adventurous! I always swim on holiday - whether in the pool or the sea, and enjoyed testing my Deakin and Blue two piece out in the sunny seas of Ibiza earlier this year.

What attracted you to Deakin and Blue?

When I decided to take up swimming I wanted to wear something that made me feel like I was doing a work out and which made me feel supported and athletic but without compromising on style. I’m not a hugely confident swimmer but I wanted to at least feel confident in what I was wearing.

Which Deakin and Blue swimwear do you own?

I have the Lily two piece in a size 10 Monroe.

How do you feel in your Deakin and Blue swimwear?

Strong and professional but also feminine.

And how is your Deakin and Blue swimwear different to anything else you have swum in?

In the past my swimming has been confined to hotel pools and the sea so I have been wearing bikinis, which I am constantly looking down and checking to make sure that they haven’t come loose, fallen down or gone see through; I am very aware that I am wearing them. But with my Deakin and Blue swimwear, I don’t have to worry about whether I’m still ‘in position’ or whether my straps are securely fastened. In fact, when I’m in the water, I’m not aware that I’m wearing it at all because it fits my body so perfectly and I can just focus on swimming.

We're so thrilled to hear that! 

Do you have any final thoughts for the friends and fans of Deakin and Blue?

Just to say that purchasing my Deakin and Blue swimwear hasn’t just been another online purchase, but the friendly emails I get from the company, the inspiring blogs and all of the thoughtful touches when my swimwear was delivered have made me feel excited that I am now part of a positive and supportive community! Thanks, everyone!

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It was lovely to speak with Rhona and we're so pleased to hear her comments about her Deakin and Blue swimwear.

Are you interested in chatting to us about your experience of swimming and swimwear for our series? Get in touch at hello@deakinandblue.com. And in the meantime, keep an eye out for the next post in our series Real Women Wear D&B.