Tonic of the Sea - Wild Swimming mini documentary
A mini-documentary showing the link between mental health and sea swimming. Katie swims off the rocks of Penzance, UK nearly everyday of the year. Open water swimming has helped her overcome some of the struggles that life all too often throws our way. The hope is that her story may help others who are faced with similar challenges.
WATCH THE BEHIND THE SCENES: • Filming underwater wit...
Film credits:
Director: Jonathan J Scott
Cinematographer: Jonathan J Scott
BTS camera operator: Hana Backland
Production support, camera operator, additional BTS: Toby Russell
Thanks to:
Simon Griffiths at Outdoorswimmer.com
Kriss Hampton at wexphotographic.com
camerasunderwater.co.uk
Kate Rew at outdoorswimmingsociety.com
All enquiries: jonscott705@gmail.com
Copyright 2017 Jonathan J Scott
Camera that film was shot with: amzn.to/3A5TRtg
Great image quality.
was that camera used for the under water shots too?
@@escargot8854 yes. There is a behind the scenes film on my channel all about it
I'm not religious, but sea has always felt like a baptism to me. It washed away the dust and dirt on my soul as much as on my skin.
Interesting, I’m not spiritual but I describe sea swimming as the closest thing I imagine it to be.
But you are religious if you talk about the sea cleansing your soul.
Thank you , I am swimming my way back from depression , the water washes away the pain, thank you for your support through your video
Thank you for your comment. I glad to hear that the swimming has helped you, wishing you all the best for the future.
Crying with gratitude as I watch this. Thank you Katie and friends. I've been in the sea now since April. I started for my mental health. It was literally sink or swim. Blessed and happier than I have ever been.
Glad it helped. Take care and all the best.
Watching this was like seeing myself. In Katie's story through the video I saw my own. Thank you
On my darkest days I find all I want to do it get in the sea. I’m just starting and not really swimming much yet, but just getting into the water is working wonders. It’s so simple and yet not easy at all. I never thought about it bringing back my confidence, but I think, perhaps, like this lady, that’s something I’ve lost. I also love the idea of the sea connecting us all. I swim alone but like to think there is a someone else in the water out there at the same time too and we’re somehow swimming together.
Thank you so much Katie , i work in aviation and am 60 yoa. Late last year, i started to feel under the weather, work was stressful, i did not get on with my manager, and so on, my home life was suffering too. Earlier this year i was rushed to hospital from work after feinting, with dangerously high blood pressure. The long and the short of it, i was suffering with stress and anxiety attacks, and now i know with myoclonic jerking as well!! this led me to re-assess my life , my goals. I went back to riding my mountain bike up on the South Downs, i am now taking up sea swimming on the weekends. This i believe will save my mind and my life. Take acre all, we only have one of us, one world, take note of the small things. Love to all.
Thanks for sharing your experience. My motto is "Swim first, ask questions later."
Stunning, my Grandmother took me to a bay that her grandmother swam in, I would have been three I crawled along the shallows for hours, I spent weeks in summer in the water swimming into my grandmothers arms as she walked deeper and further away until one day I was surfing in the biggest waves the coast and little bay had seen, watched from the cliff car park by my grandmother. I walked out of the water one day and never surfed again, I took my kids to the same bay and walked further away from them as they swam towards me, I was so proud, I pushed them into their first waves and bought their first boards. I was standing looking out to sea in June tears pouring down my face thinking of her, she gave me such a gift, nothing comes close to being in the sea, on it, in it, or under it, I have torn myself away to pursue useless things and knew I was doing it, responsibility, I am almost at the point of early retirement and I am going to swim more and more and I hope I can walk further and deeper from my grandchildren in the same bay.
So beautiful! The sea heals me daily too. I find that the majority of open water swimmers swim for very deep reasons. Thanks for sharing and creating this.
Sabrina Flynn thank you for you kind comments Sabrina, really glad you connected with the film.
This was sent to me by a friend. I have just started recently going swimming in the sea when the sun is rising and oh my god it is the best decision I've ever made for my mental health. I am addicted. I get that rush and then I just feel completely at peace in my body and mind. Thank you for this video. I got quite emotional watching this because it resonated with me so much. This lady is fantastic ❤️
Thanks for the comment, I'm glad the film connected with you
I hope I can find something soon.
I like the idea. Isn't it dangerous?
@@thescholiast5118 It is, like every other thing after leaving bed... No, seriously I can recommend the good videos here on YT from Everyday Athlete Rachel. She gives very worth tips for wild swimming beginners- enjoy!
I never knew how to explain my need for open water swimming, I knew it healed my body and soul. This is so beautiful thank you for letting me know I am not alone.
Katie supports Mike as much as Mike supports Katie. And the ocean supports them both. Beautiful.
The opening 2 mins pretty much sums up my life now. Iv just started sea swimming to try help. Feeling good
To brave the sea and allow yourself to be at the mercy of everything it throws at you is simply other-worldly. I can’t think of anything comparable.
I had very similar symptoms. Turned out I had misdiagnosed Lyme disease. I have taken to wild swimming in the North Sea off Saltburn and my energy is restored. January, trunks, bliss. It grounds me and everyday is different. Ducking under big waves to get to the swell. Fantastic.
I cried. The experience is similar to mine. I will be at the San Juan Condado Lagoon at 6:30 am A far cry from waking with a hangover. Thank you for expressing your feelings so well
Glad the film connected with you.
Incredible!!! So very happy for you!
I have suffered from nightmarish PTSD. I recently had to move from the U.S. over to The U.S. Virginia Islands where I took up ocean swimming. Now my depression has decreased and my sleeping has improved. I am planning my first trip to Scotland where I know I'll want to attempt wild water swimming. It has been a revelation of sorts to have discovered such sobering peace and tranquility. This video is a very powerful mental and emotional uplift.
Thanks for the kind words. All the best .
@@JonathanJScottFilms thank you. Looking forward to it.
Love this video. Being proud of oneself, rebuilding self confidence and self respect of our magnificent temple :our body ! Thank you for your testimony
This is how I feel when I go open water swimming. Thank you for capturing this aspect of swimming in the beautiful open water.
I did sea swimming today for 20 min- now i feel amazing..energized and that mental chatter is gone...just an amazing feeling... the water maybe 12- 13 degress...
Thank you for this great Video. Swimming in cold water is an unspeakable feeling except with his experience.Good luck
Totally get this. Outdoor, cold water swimming is deeply powerful experience. I’ve not quite worked it all out yet but I’m enjoying the process.
SO beautiful ! made me cry ! . Swimming at battery was why i moved here 8 years ago . When i do it thats exactly the thing i say afterwards i just feel like "ME" again . Not me with hashimotos , eds, cfs and all the other labels . Not me who is overwelmed with whats going on in the world etc ,,, the sea pushes everything else out and im left temporarily "clean" . This is inspiring me to try it again . xxx Beccy
Beccy Wilson thanks Becky, really glad the film connected with you.
Thank you for this movie... made me cry too. I’m in the process of becoming more alive by swimming in cold water as I dive into getting older while getting younger on other levels. Grateful for the adventure of it all.
Thank you! Though these are only 8 minutes Katies story is a whole lifetime. And her life was obviously saved by the Sea and guarded by Mike. She is a beautiful woman!
I love open water swimming! Where I live, this is a river. Thanks for sharing what is so close to the heart.
Glad you enjoyed it
Never ceases to amaze that we can find ourselves by returning to whence we came.
Beautiful women , inside and out . What a great video describing 90% of the population. Loved every minute of this thank you
I've just started swimming g in the ocean after many years of living next to it. Busy life with work etc. but when I'm driving home from work, I feel the urge to swim...so now I keep my costume and towel in the car...there's something 5hat happens in the water, beside the great anti inflammatory properties and minerals it gives...I feel realigned and able to cope with another week. It's now part of my life and I'm so thankful. Also I'm meeting regular swimmers who feel the same...a lovely human connection. This is amazing 🌊💙
Great film. Never swimm without a swimming buoy. Warm greetings from an ice swimmer. 🌸
Tks for sharing this giant experience of thoughts and the deep contact with the nature of the sea. I personally feel being part of the Planet and its natural flow and I'm one of many lives that what I propose to be doing especially in the openwater.
Thanks for the comment
Amazing story!!!! Thanks for the film....I am also swimming at the moment to survive and keeping the head up!!!! Love you
I live in Sydney Australia and we are very lucky to have many 50 metre oceans pools here which I do laps in every morning all year round. I've made so many friends, other swimmers who swim daily. I sometimes forget how lucky I am...…….
I'd be scared to death for crocs and sharks in Australia lol. Good for you being so brave!
Truly lovely people..and sea-swimming...so true.Bright Moments for you both🐝🌈
Wow, so much of this resonated so deeply. I am healing chronic fatigue syndrome and began with cold showers, in September I started sea swimming and it changed my life. I felt so alive, connected and grounded, I wasn’t this sick person I was part of something much bigger than me, it helped my healing. I’m going through a bit of a crash right now and haven’t made it to the water in 3 weeks, I’m craving it so deeply but I’m honouring my body needing rest. This film made me feel like I was there and brought back all those amazing feelings, thank you 🙏🏻
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it. All the best with your recovery.
Yours is the first comment regarding sea swimming that mentioned grounded that you feel grounded and yes that is so much a part of what you're, experiencing, what everybody's experiencing when they go ocean swimming. the salt is very healing that's a negative ion but the Earth is a negative charge and that's when you're grounded you're healing and strengthening your body your bones every muscle every cell of your body is being recharged that's why it feels so good I'm about as far from the ocean as I could be about 700 miles so I won't ever be able to experience this but I'm loving and listening to it. The only thing that is close would be lake swimming. That is grounding but would not have the healing process of salt therapy....
Magnifique ,et tellement d émotions ., j'avoue avoir , comme beaucoup sans doutes , eu la larmes à l œil .... tout le monde a eu des bas dans la vie. , certains s'en sortent facilement, beaucoup y sombrent ... belle philosophie de la vie en armonie avec la mer originelle ! Je pense que il n'y a pas de hasard et que c'était écrit qu'elle devait rencontrer cet homme ... keep free swimming
I started swimming 2 years ago. I didn't know why I was doing it, but a month later I stopped drinking alcohol. I felt good about me. My grief from losing my father lifted. I live in south africa, so my pool only goes down to 5°C in winter. But I don't skip a day. Its the discipline of doing it. My heart rate goes down to average 47 bpm in winter because of the cold water. I love it, it has changed me, I feel strong mentally, and I don't ever get sick.
What a fantastic and beautiful film. Thank you.
What an amazing film, the photography was beautiful and Katie explains her feelings so well .and I think this is something many people will relate to. Life takes over with everything we have to do, that sometimes it's good to take time out just for yourself and get back to who YOU are and replenish your soul xx
So lovely. Brave woman, wonderful inspirational story. Thank you for sharing! 💜
I can relate. I suffer from C-ptsd. Water is a great healer
So beautiful to watch absolute bliss the synchronicity of heaven and earth.
Thanks
Beautiful well done, i started swimming in sea 8 months ago, best feeling ever and in rough water unbelievable. Not over my poor mental health challenge but sea better than any drug. Great video thanks.
Thanks for the comment. All the best with your journey.
these are beautiful people. i can totally relate to everything they say
We forget in our business the importance of engaging meaningfully with the natural world around us, but that engagement keeps us grounded and healthy. We become part of the bigger picture and expand the smallness inside us. Thank you for that caring recovery story. ☺️
Thanks for the comment
Wow! Thank you 🙏🏼 so inspiring. I heard a click inside me, something moved, something that felt rusted in time for so long. Thank you for your honesty
Thank you for sharing your deep emotions with us! Wish you a very happy and healthy life!
Thanks for watching.
Thank you for a beautiful movie. Every word so true. Just started ocean swimming this year, and it is such a release from stresses.
Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it
All my life I’ve loved swimming in the sea, then last year I just kept going from September onwards. I try & go most days. It’s true it makes you feel brave again. I like to swim alone because I can be peaceful. There’s just me & the birds. I’m a tidal swimmer so see it at all different times. When I swim at sunrise even though it’s freezing I can feel the sun on my face. It takes things back to basics and the elements. Beautiful.
Hope you're doing well Katie. Loving the beautiful sea and appreciating yourself.
Massive respect been through much of what you've described, I'm in a much better place now, all the best keep doing what makes you feel good, you have to be a bit selfish sometimes or you will sink, no pun intended.
I am so HAPPY for you.. I go into the sea every day s for 20 minutes and suffered Anxiety and this has given me a knew life... Please could you get more videos on Cold water therapy.. Tommy
So glad to see she is doing better. Being out in nature can be so therapeutic on so many levels.
Such an inspiration, thankyou. I was born by the sea in South Devon,spending every summer holiday Sea swimming there..in the 60's. Many traumatic events later, many situations dictating that I lived in some really grim towns and city's. My Devonian grandparents long dead,I took early retirement..and ran to the Sea. I now live just 4mtrs above sea level and have several beaches nearby 🏖🦜💚🇯🇲🐠. My soul is recharge, I am ME!
Wonderful video. I’ve been on a similar journey and cannot agree more with the message that swimming in the wild has amazing calming and healing properties. My days are better when they start with a swim. Good luck to you and thank you for sharing your inspiring story.
Thanks for the comment Mark.
I feel the same way.... Water is my joy and pleasure... Born a few feet from the ocean... Now I swim in a lake which does energize me.. 🎉
Amazing film! Katie is awesome!
That made me cry, hope your feeling better now 🙏
Wonderful story (I too love swimming in the ocean) ❤
thank you too, I am running away from my MS, thank you for your awesome video...
You're welcome, thanks for the comment, glad you enjoyed it.
Epic film, this is the sort of story that needs to get out there and can make a difference to peoples lives. I started daily cold water swimming in my pool a few months ago to reduce inflammation from my gym work outs, which I was not recovering from so well anymore as I aged. The difference is massive to my recovery and overall feeling of health. All those nice things about achievement, mental clarity and peace are still possible even in a pool, if you can't get out to nature so often.
Thanks for the comments 🙂
This is a message full of hope and optimism thank you
The pool is no good ! The water is dead . In océan , is full live and ions négatifs ...
Beautiful film. And journey.
Thanks
Beautiful mini documentary!!! Today was my first dip in 4 degrees water :-)
Thanks.
Very touching and inspirational. Thank you.
Thanks for the comment.
Glad to see you came back!!!! Bless you
This was so interesting and beautiful. I loved watching it and learning about the healing properties of the great sea.
Helpark1 thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for this video. I am 51 and recovering from depression and low mood. I started swimming 3 months ago as part of my recovery. I thoroughly enjoy it. Already I can feel the difference in my mood. I am trying to be consistent. Thanks again
No problem, glad you like the film. All the best.
What a lovely depiction. I think the whole swimming experience does wonders for my physical and mental health and well-being. Having the wettie off now that it's warmer, I am connecting much more directly with the water. It’s hard to describe in words what it does. Energising and invigorating fit but aren’t enough. It’s like my whole body is being held and massaged by the water. I find the experience changes to some extent through the seasons, and depending on where I am at in myself.
Mike you legend 🙌
Your a very brave women thank you for passing on your experience
Excellent motivational video, my Respects
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks
After 3 years of daily swimming,dr sea taught me way beyond sport. Mentally,emotionally,physically and spiritually. Unbelievable experience. We are water ,life is water.... I feel like i am submerged in mother nature womb to heal and evolve. I add my therapy float as well by humming Aom while ears in water and repeat till the sound vibrate in your skull and feel the cells in your toes and body humming back.
A really great film and, more importantly, a lovely result
A beautiful piece of film and story telling.
Beautiful! Breathtaking! Inspiring! Thank you!
Great film...beautifully conveys what so many seas swimmers think and feel.
Beautiful film. Can't beat a bit of ocean healing. :)
Omg Katie this is brilliant well done to everyone who made this !!!
Couldn't agree more to this. Indeed very relatable. We often underestimate, rather dismiss the healing powers of nature but it is there that our actual healing takes place. You do well to nature and nature gives you back in plenty.
I watch this over and over.
glad you enjoy it. thanks
Astonishing, beautiful video and an inspiration to so many people. I have always been a sea swimmer and will always be one. So happy that Katie was able to heal herself.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed the film
I like the idea. Isn't it dangerous?
Beautiful, invoked so many feelings . Thank you for making this and sharing this story . Affirms that in life we can lose ourself but we can find ourself again and meet ourself in a different way 💕
Thank you for the comment.
Thank you for this, it motivated me to start swimming and it's making a huge difference to my life. Finally some outdoor exercise that I genuinely enjoy and I know it's going to help my anxiety too. Thank you!
Claire Matthews that's great to hear Claire, glad this film has helped you.
Inspirational documentary well done and so pleaseed that she has found inner peace 😀
Brilliant. Thank you.
Well done, well spoken...Thank you !
Brilliant please make more films like this. The outside elements are so important to mental health.
Thanks very much. Really glad you enjoyed it
An absolutely wonderful film and story. Thank you.
Thank you Peter
Wonderful....wonderful woman. Keep on keeping on. God bless you.
Beautiful film. Really powerful and emotional.
David Gwyer thanks David
Beautiful. Thank you for creating and sharing!
Thanks for the comment
Thankyou I love this, swimming in the cold sea at sun rise is a life changer and a profound healer. Thankyou for creating and sharing this film with us. We can heal ourselves with swimming in the cold sea and also breathing techniques have worked for me too. Beautiful imagery too, stunning!
Thanks very much for the kind comments.
Great job with this film and thanks for sharing. Our swimmers would agree that there's nothing quite like swimming in the open. Just be safe and never swim alone! We'll be posting a review on our blog in the next couple of weeks. Thanks again for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed I and thanks for the kind comment, do you have a link to your blog?
@@JonathanJScottFilms It will be posted in two weeks here: www.odysseyopenwater.com/blog
Great film. Thanks
This was a beautiful story made me very emotional, like I wanted to swim with you! Thank you for sharing. ❤️🍥🌊🏊♀️❤️
Thanks Jackie, glad you enjoyed it
Fascinating. I'm going to have to tell #cultofthehummingbird about this.
Wonderful! Real strength how you face the natural world bravely, not through a comfy filter of civilization where the weak can appear strong but by getting in direct contact by yourself. Well done!
We're definitely made up of the same elements. It's wonderful to hear that you are marrying what's inside with the natural forces inside. We need it for sure. I was an drug addict and alcoholic as was my drear late twin and nature/walking/swimming brought us back to health similarly as the light permeated and eventually dissolved much of the darkness. Well done Katie. Great film Jonathan. Mark
Thanks for the kind words
@@JonathanJScottFilms A real pleasure. It resonated!
Lovely film. Thank you!
Susan Pierres thank you.
Very inspiring Jonathan.
This is a really powerful film. You explain it all so well. Thank you for sharing your story. I do hope more people join the wild swimming movement the world needs this.
Thank you for the lovely comment