Into the Blue: A Q&A with founder Ellie Ricketts

Ellie, you’ve been a lifelong swimmer and a Macmillan Counsellor—what was the moment that inspired you to combine these two passions and start Into The Blue? 

Cancer diagnosis and treatment can be traumatic and isolating, leading to depression, anxiety, and identity struggles. As a counsellor, I wanted to offer a therapeutic response, and as a swimmer, I knew cold-water immersion could help. The idea struck me during a winter swim, following personal losses—despite feeling miserable going in, I emerged joyful. It seemed nonsensical that we weren’t using this incredible free resource for cancer care in Plymouth, so I approached Macmillan, and Into The Blue was born. 

The project officially launched in June 2023—what has the response been like so far, and what have you learned from the dozens of people you’ve helped already?  

Macmillan immediately saw the potential in this work and funded the first year of Into the Blue and I was delighted that my colleagues in the Mustard Tree Cancer Support Centre in Plymouth and oncology teams were eager to make referrals, and we were not short of people wanting to sign up! This has enacted a step change in our cancer care, where it is a normal part of holistic assessment to consider whether a referral to Into the Blue could help answer a patient’s needs.  

From the start I undertook to understand if it worked, why it did. Surveys, interviews and feedback forms have shown a complex interweaving of factors creating “life changing” experiences. 

The psychological, physical and peer safety built into this model (the coach works in cancer, there is a lifeguard in the water and the group is only for people with a cancer diagnosis) allows our swimmers to be supported in the natural anxiety they have about undertaking something challenging without their clothes on in front of a group of strangers – then accept and meet the challenge of entering cold water. Other than those that have to step back for clinical reasons, people don’t drop out, and they keep swimming after their course.  

I have learned a great deal about the specifics of how regular cold-water immersion can impact the effects of cancer and its treatment. It can improve joint pain, anxiety, headaches, fatigue, hot flushes, nausea, feeling low or wobbly, mobility around surgery sites, healing in irradiated skin… I could go on! So we have significant and immediate changes to emotional state and body – a powerful pull to keep coming! 

The other really significant stories repeatedly told are the changing relationships to body image and identity. Being out in public in a swimming costume is an insistent confrontation with body image. Cancer and treatment can mean loss of muscle mass, swelling, weight gain, removal of part of the body, hair loss, scarring.. Swimmers report finding acceptance, relief and even pride in what their body can do and how it looks. The courage and resilience required to be a cold water swimmer and manage challenging conditions results in recognising a strength that is taken with them into other parts of their life – continuing to live with the impact of cancer, their relationships, work. This can be a sustaining strength and one seeding growth and change.  

You’ve spoken about how cold-water swimming can transform both mind and body. Can you share some of the most powerful stories or feedback you’ve received from participants? 

I don’t know where to start! The feedback has been incredible and shows that it’s transformational for everyone who takes part in the course….here are a few quotes from participants to give you a feel… 

“Apart from having a family, Into the Blue was the best thing I have ever done”.  

“Just before taking the plunge I feel such a deep sense of oneness and acceptance and calm and joy to be "back again". It's spiritual for me. So connecting with the people and also something much wider feels empowering”. 

“Confidence, motivation everything went…prone to depression and self-harm. I found swimming is now my new medication. I don't need any antidepressants. The 1st few sessions I was very breathless, found it difficult to walk back to car after swim. By week 6 I was having a little jog back to car. I felt brilliant.”  

"I became dependent on the routine, the buzz from a sense of achievement and the feeling of being active was overwhelming. I am transformed as a committed sea / wild swimmer. The cold and the need to address fears and to ensure I remain focused on safety in my adventures is key to my sense of wellbeing and purpose .” 

”Without question I would tell everyone I know to tell everyone they know who has a cancer diagnosis to do this. I believe this programme should run throughout the country. It is AWESOME.”  

You mention that the water temperature is so arresting that it forces people to be present in the moment. Could you expand on how this mental shift impacts your participants’ overall mental health and well-being? 

The cold is immediate, powerful, unavoidable – not one part of your body escapes the shock of immersion. Your mind is right there too “what is this??? Aaargh!!!” There is no room for other thoughts or sensations and our whole being is filled and thrilled with this experience. The cold both stings us into elation and settles us deeply. Swimmers relay this impact lasting not just an hour, but a day or several days.  

You’ve described the water as having a special power—what is it about the sea that you believe has such a transformative effect on people? 

The liminal experience of entering cold water transports us into a rare coalescence of joy, elation and beauty.  

The sea also encourages us to play, particularly in waves. We leap about, dive under, experience the slightly scary and thrilling anticipation of the waves coming towards us – we leap up, turn and bodysurf it or dive under the water – wey hey! We survived!! I repeatedly hear the joyful statement of “I feel like a child again!” from Into the Blue swimmers. Absolutely fantastic for anyone, but particularly when you have cancer. We often forget to play as adults. The sea demands we leave carefully curated selves behind and slip back to the little person we were who was led by curiosity, pleasure and the call of their spirit. To meet our young selves again is a gift. 

For someone who is new to sea swimming or cold-water therapy, what advice would you give them before they dip their toes in the water for the first time? 

We always want a swim to give, not take away. So before ever going in to cold water, we want to know that it is safe for your body (check out any medical conditions you think might make it risky for you), that the water is clean and that the conditions are appropriate to your level of experience and ability. There are loads of great apps out there to check water safety like Safer Seas and Rivers, and tide, weather and surf apps like Surf Forecast. You’ll need a swimming costume, a swim cap to make you visible in the water to other users, and you may find wearing boots and gloves more comfortable.  

The best place to start is on a lifeguarded beach, with at least one other person who is used to cold water swimming. Local swim groups are always friendly. Look at the beach information boards and talk to the lifeguards about the sea and your plans – they are experts on conditions. Make sure you are warmed up before you go in, and enter the water slowly, breathing calmly – it is normal to get a cold-water shock response where you want to gasp and your breath is rapid. It will pass within a couple of minutes - wait until it is under control before entering the water fully. Stay within your depth – waist deep is best – and keep an eye on the shore to make sure you are not being pulled. A few minutes to start with is fine – you can slowly build a tolerance where you can stay in longer. Get out while you are still feeling fine – not when you’re starting to be chilly.  

When you exit the water get wet things off quickly, dress straightaway in layers and keep moving! A hot drink will help you feel a bit warmer. If you shiver that’s a good sign your body is warming you up. Well done!! 

Where do you see Into The Blue in the next few years? Are there any exciting projects or initiatives on the horizon that you’re particularly passionate about? 

I am really excited to be in talks about starting Into the Blue in another area. This means training another coach in my evidence-based approach – and patients over another large geographical area being able to access this transformational resource for living with cancer. I have just interviewed for a podcast with one of our swimmers which I hope will inspire other cancer professionals to consider whether this might be possible in their area... watch this space! I am passionate about sauna practice too and am exploring potential links for this with to Into the Blue.  

Into the Blue is part of the CIC South Devon Chill. You can learn more about Into the Blue here: https://www.facebook.com/ChillSouthDevon  

If you would like to support Into the Blue and the work they are doing you can donate here: 

South Devon Chill CiC: 
Sort code: 60-83-71 
Account number: 36315981 
Reference: Into the Blue 

If you, or someone you know has had a cancer diagnosis would like to find out more about the Into the Blue swimming course in South Devon, you can email ellie@chilluk.org