Helene’s Swimrun Journey

Helene, you’ve been a dedicated volunteer with ÖTILLÖ since its inception. What motivated you to start volunteering, and how has your role evolved over the years?

I heard about a new, cool event happening in my home archipelago around Stockholm, and I read that they were looking for volunteers. I thought, why not help out and see this firsthand? I got hooked and have since called myself “swimrun nerd.” I’ve followed the sport, community, and equipment evolve, and I’ve met so many fantastic people who have inspired me in various ways.

Before discovering Swimrun, you faced challenges with smoking and weight. Could you share how Swimrun inspired you to transform your lifestyle?

I’ve struggled with being overweight since childhood, and I see it as one of my lifelong challenges. I never participated in sports. All my attempts to join communities or training groups were crushed by feelings of inadequacy and being a liability for others. For instance, when running, despite being told I was welcome, everyone ran and left. When pausing to wait for me, they quickly took off again, leaving me with no time to catch my breath. This made me resent running with others. However, things changed when getting into the Swimrun community. While volunteering the people I met truly encouraged me to join and didn´t seem to care about speed or body size. And when I met Mia and WILD Swimrun I found my people. It is a warm and inclusive community where any level was welcome. I was inspired to challenge myself, and pace or podiums weren’t the measure of success-attitude, grit, and kindness were what mattered. With this came an increased level of activity and a pivotal question from my best friend Monika about why I kept smoking if I wanted to be active. I quit that same day.

As someone who has experienced a significant personal transformation, what advice would you give to individuals looking to make similar changes in their lives?

Find your people – your safe space where you won’t be judged, and your presence is wanted. If you have fun and surround yourself, with uplifting individuals, you will keep going. You need to discover your ‘why.’ My initial motivation was wanting to be a swimrunner because it looked so cool. The key was that I found people who saw me as a swimrunner long before I did. Today, my ‘why’ is to be able to say yes to any adventure that comes my way in life. I don’t want to have to say no due to not being fit or strong enough.

Your passion for Swimrun is evident. How do you balance your professional commitments with your dedication to the sport and the community?

I’m not sure if I fully achieve that balance, but I put everything I want and need to do in my calendar. If it’s in there, I’ll do it. To stay mentally sharp in life, I also need to be physically active, and both are priorities for me. Each week, I dedicate up to ten hours for physical activity in my calendar. It’s now a lifestyle where my partner and I actively plan for it. For example, a vacation can mean biking or hiking to explore a beautiful island. A time-saving life hack for me is having a gym at home.

Having been involved in Swimrun from the beginning, what changes have you observed in the sport, and where do you see it heading in the future?

I’ve witnessed a significant movement from Swimrun being a niche activity for a few extreme enthusiasts to becoming a mainstream way for many people around the world to enjoy nature and stay active. However, I still don’t see enough women participating in Swimrun, which is on my personal “quest list.” I’ve noticed some are asking for age groups to compete and measure themselves against others. And more and more races offer solo competitions. Personally, I find this a bit concerning, perhaps due to my own journey. I worry that the essence of connecting with nature and enjoying a great adventure together with a partner might be overshadowed by an increased focus on podiums, winners, and measuring performance. Of course, the sport needs races, and there will always be inspirational winners, but the majority will never stand on the podium. It’s crucial that the majority carry the sport forward, thus we need to keep it interesting for everyone. Performance isn’t just about time; it can also mean exploring new grounds, just being on a starting line, finishing, or competing as a team. Swimrun needs to continue to evolve but I am bias to keeping the magic that makes Swimrun and the Swimrun Community special and not just another new sport.

Your enthusiasm for volunteering is inspiring. What aspects of volunteering at ÖTILLÖ events do you find most rewarding?

Being able to cheer on the racers along the course, giving them a push, an unexpected cheer, or a hug is magical; you become part of their journey. You never know which second or minute will be the most crucial for them that day. It could be when someone needs a hug after a DNF or providing energy to someone who then achieves a personal record. You never know, but I guarantee it won’t be what you anticipated when you woke up that day. So, the short answer is that the best part is the magic of giving – something you can’t touch but can deeply feel. Join an ÖTILLÖ race as a volunteer and make a positive impact. 

Given your extensive experience, what are some common misconceptions newcomers have about Swimrun, and how do you address them?

A common misconception is that Swimrun is an extreme sport. While it can be, it doesn’t have to be at all; it’s all about personal choice. Many people also have fears regarding open water swimming. While you should always respect open water, you can also choose to swim in smaller lakes. Another major misconception is that “bigger is always better” when it comes to paddles and pull buoys. I’ve seen many struggle with oversized gear and become slower. It’s crucial to find the right fit based on your swimming technique, body composition, and race conditions. My tip is to test your gear beforehand and remember that a race can last several hours. Are you sure the tip of your paddle is facing downwards after water entry?

As a part of WILD Swimrun, you’ve been instrumental in fostering a supportive community for women in the sport. What initiatives do you believe are essential for encouraging more female participation?

Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment is important. I’m not saying that things can’t be challenging; women are super strong and tough. But they often prefer to try new things with people they know and feel comfortable with. It’s about feeling welcome and knowing that “people like you” will be there – those who may be like you, who live normal lives, have kids, jobs and face different life challenges. Others who may also feel like they’re not fast enough or not completely comfortable with their bodies. At all levels of fitness, such mental ghosts can exist. However, when we feel that we are in a welcoming and inclusive environment it becomes easier to take those first steps, push our boundaries, and celebrate every achievement, big or small.

How do you see the role of women in the sport evolving?

I hope to see a notable increase in female participation and leadership within Swimrun. Women are starting to take up more space and positively influence the sport. This is wonderful for the sport as a whole, but it is especially vital for fostering growth in Swimrun among children and young people. To achieve this necessary and lasting growth, it’s essential to encourage more women and, by extension, entire families to participate in the sport.

Looking ahead, what are your personal goals within the Swimrun community, and how do you plan to continue contributing to its growth and development?

I hope to get back into racing myself after a long-term shoulder injury. But I will definitely continue to support others, especially women, to participate in Swimrun. Through WILD Swimrun, I plan to organize more events and activities that promote the community and the sport we love so much. And as the swimrun nerd that I am, I will probably show up cheering when you least expect it, maybe on a remote island in the archipelago or behind a bush in Rügen.

Get in touch or follow Helene on Social Media @helene.ostet