Cath Pendleton, also known as "The Merthyr Mermaid" is an open water and ice swimmer from Wales. She is a Guinness World Record Holder for the Most Southerly Ice Swim (female), she achieved this record for becoming the first person in the world to swim an ice mile inside the Antarctic Polar circle in February 2020.
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/641725-most-southerly-ice-swim-female
Her story was captured by BBC Wales for a documentary about ordinary people achieving extraordinary things, titled “The Merthyr Mermaid” and it is still available to watch on BBC iPlayer BBC One - The Merthyr Mermaid
She has done many long distance swims, including the English Channel in 2018, and has also represented Great Britain at the World Ice Swimming Championships in Murmansk, Russia in 2019 and won bronze in her age category.
She is always looking forward to new challenges and is truly passionate about encouraging participation in sport, particularly open water swimming. She really wants to be a great role model for all those that are anxious about dipping their toes in! She often heard to say “To make me happy, just add cold water!”
The 3 min, 30 sec trailers and full programme BBC iplayer links are still available and the full programme to download at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qnb4
Events, challenges, I am hoping to finish the Ice sevens over the next two years, as Covid has delayed everything. I still have South America, North America, Asia and Oceania to complete and I am hoping that I can go to Russia end of May/beginning June, which would count for Asia, but will travel restrictions like they are it is looking doubtful. I would also love to swim in the Arctic too and I am learning to free dive as well.
Events entered so far this year are:
Her Spirit Summer Solstice Swim - Summer Solstice Swim - Her Spirit
Henley Swim Festival - Outdoor swim event | Henley Swim Festival | swimming for all the family
Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim - Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim | BHF
Ullswater - Aquasphere Chillswim Ullswater 7 miles End to End – Sat 17th July 2021
Henley Thames Marathon Swim - Long-distance swim | Thames Marathon - Henley Swim
Aberdovey 13k Swim - The Dyfi 13k - Aberdovey Swim
London Dock Swim 15km - Dock2Dock - Event Details - Love Sports Events
Read more and follow 'The Merthyr Mermaid'
Website merthyrmermaid.co.uk
Twitter & Instagram - @swimcathswim
Facebook - Cath Pendleton