• Jane and Graeme Sutton
  • Jane and Graeme Sutton
  • Jane and Graeme Sutton
  • Jane and Graeme Sutton
  • Jane and Graeme Sutton

About Us

Graeme and Jane Sutton - working together to support swimmers

Graeme Sutton is the driving force behind Swim on the Wild Side, but he freely admits that nothing would be possible without his wonderful wife Jane! They met at art school, where Jane studied photography and Graeme majored in design. Jane, a native of England’s Lake District, persuaded Graeme to move south from his native Motherwell and they have lived happily in the Lakes for over thirty years, gathering a huge network of contacts in the hospitality and tourism industries.

Tired of tasting chlorine with every stroke, in 2007 Graeme took up the challenge of open water swimming – requiring a totally different skill set. He went on to compete successfully at distances from 3.8 to 10k, and gained his STA Level 2 Award for Open Water Swimming Coaching, STA Level 1 Award for Pool to Open Water Swimming Coaching and STA Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching.

In 2015 Graeme organised the highly successful ‘Mad Cows’ Charity Swim Challenge: 4km in 4 lakes in 4 countries in 1 day. 20 swimmers took the plunge in Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.

Growing up in the beautiful Borrowdale Valley, kayaking around the Lake District is almost second nature to Jane, an outdoor enthusiast since childhood. She holds the Outdoor Emergency First Aid Certificate with additional training appropriate to the Mountain and Outdoor Environment through BASP UK, complementing Graeme’s RLSS Level 3 National Water Safety Management Programme, STA Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults.

Graeme has coached swimmers for several years, ranging from masters in the pool to triathletes in open water, so it was clear that this was the ideal opportunity to combine their unique talents, and in 2016 they set up Swim on the Wild Side Ltd.

Jane’s role within the company is invaluable. She is the team shepherdess, rounding up any strays, making sure every swimmer is looked after safely and providing the delicious cakes and hot drinks at the end of every swim.

LEGENDS OF THE LAKES

LEGENDS OF THE LAKES

Visit some of the Lake District’s most famous beauty spots, and we guarantee you will be seeing them in a completely different way!

GREAT LAKES SWIM TOURS

GREAT LAKES SWIM TOURS

Once a month during the summer we spend the weekend swimming in five of Cumbria’s outstandingly beautiful lakes.
These tours have something for everyone, all ages and abilities.

OPEN WATER COACHING

OPEN WATER COACHING

This can be anything from a one off session while you're on holiday in the Lake District to a more of a structured course to help transform your stroke over a period of time.

Swim on the Wild Side is the Lake District's only swimming holiday operator offering fully coached activities with a qualified and experienced coach.

All of our swims are fully risk assessed, insured and we abide by the strict environmental rules laid down by the Lake District National Park, following the 'Ditch the Hitchers' campaign.

Want to make a booking? We’ll be happy to devise a schedule to fit your plans where possible just click here to visit our calendar.

Need more information? Dive into our Any Questions page here.