Former Scotland women’s rugby internationalist Suzy Rook has successfully completed an extraordinary one-kilometre swim in the icy Arctic waters of Longyearbyen in Svalbard to raise vital funds for charity.
Svalbard is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean, located roughly halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, and, in doing this amazing swim on June 8 just before she turned 38, Rook became one of the first Scottish women to do it.
She is now also among a small number of British people to achieve the feat in one of the world’s most extreme environments.
Earlier this month Suzy, who was still playing rugby for Stewartry last season, entered Arctic waters wearing only a standard swimsuit, goggles and a swim cap.
Battling freezing temperatures and the physical demands of open water swimming at one of the northernmost inhabited locations on the planet, she completed the challenge after months of dedicated preparation.
In January of this year, Suzy, who earned 13 caps for Scotland as a prop, could only swim the breaststroke.
She got into the pool and started training for this challenge before building up to – and then smashing – it.
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that it comes just nine months after Suzy’s own cancer journey which meant that the swim was a powerful symbol of resilience, recovery and determination.
The challenge was never solely about endurance. For Suzy, it represented an opportunity to prove that life can continue to hold purpose, adventure and achievement following illness and personal adversity.
Through it all she has raised over an incredible £13,000 so far for the Butterfly Thyroid Cancer Trust and the Back Onside mental health charity.
“This swim was about so much more than cold water,” Scotland cap 151 Suzy, who delivered the match ball at the recent Women’s Six Nations match with France alongside fellow ex-cap Hannah Smith, said.
“Nine months ago I was facing cancer and since then I’ve experienced challenges, loss, fear and uncertainty.
“Standing on the shore in the Arctic I knew this wasn’t just a swim, it was proof of how far I’ve come and a reminder that difficult times don’t have to define the rest of your life.
“This challenge was for everyone who has faced cancer, struggled with their mental health, lost someone they love or simply found themselves wondering if they could keep going.
“I wanted to show that resilience isn’t about never struggling, it’s about finding a way forward despite the struggle.”
Suzy Rook is pictured after completing the challenge
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