Swimming with the Viking of Skye: A True Story of Overcoming Fear, Finding Confidence and Hope

Discover one man’s journey to cold water swimming, and the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

At the age of 41, Rich Waters received a diagnosis that sent shockwaves through his world: early-onset Parkinson’s disease. But fate had more in store for him; shortly after this revelation, he learned that his young daughter, too, was grappling with a degenerative condition.

Life, once familiar and predictable, had been upended, and Rich was forced to confront the fragility of existence in a way he had never imagined. Yet, it was in this moment of crisis that he discovered an unyielding resolve to find purpose and meaning. But Rich chose to defy the limitations of his diagnosis. Determined to make every second count, he began a courageous journey that would lead him to the unlikeliest of places: the icy, unforgiving waters of the Isle of Skye.

Cold water swimming became his lifeline--a radical source of fulfilment and a wellspring of resilience. Plunging into the frigid depths, Rich found a deep connection with the natural world. The sensation of icy waters on his skin mirrored the challenges he faced in his life, and each swim was a testament to his indomitable spirit.

Guided by Matt Rhodes, The Viking of Skye, Rich discovered that the biting cold, the relentless waves, and the untamed currents were more than just physical challenges: they were a metaphor for the unpredictability of life itself. In those waters, he learned to surrender control, to accept the ebb and flow of existence, and to find beauty in the chaos.

Swimming with the Viking of Skye is a memoir that takes you on an inspiring journey through Rich Waters’ transformation. It is a story of one man’s battle against the relentless march of disease, a father’s unwavering commitment to his daughter, and a testament to the healing power of nature.

This touching memoir covers:

• Chapter one: The benefits and science behind cold water immersion
• Chapter two: Glenbrittle Beach - finding for your inner Viking
• Chapter three: The Climb to Coire Lagan - reconnecting with Yourself
• Chapter four: The Healing Pools - if you don’t learn to like yourself no one else will
• Chapter five: The Marble Pool Echo Chamber - how to stop repeating the past
• Chapter six: Kilt Falls - building resilience
• Chapter seven: Torrin Pools - stepping out of your comfort zone
• Chapter eight: Sea cave of Flodigarry - facing your fear
• Chapter nine: Sligachan River - wake up! you’ll be dead soon

Through the pages of this moving memoir, you will find inspiration to confront your own challenges, a renewed appreciation for the beauty of the natural world, and a profound belief in the resilience of the human heart and the transformative power of courage, love and the unyielding spirit that resides within us all.

Richard Waters is an international award-winning writer. For fifteen years he worked for Lonely Planet, authoring some twenty books for them, as well as contributing regular stories to The Independent, The Financial Times, The Telegraph, Elle and Wanderlust. He has co-authored books with Tyson Fury, Ollie Ollerton and Major General Paul Nanson, all of which were Sunday Times bestsellers. He also wrote The Gladiator Mindset with Adam Peaty, which was shortlisted for the 2022 Sunday Times Sports Book of the Year, in the ’Performance and Motivation’ category.