Tooting Bec Lido hosts former lifeguard for underwater swimming world record

A South African underwater swimmer returned to a lido where she once worked as a lifeguard to smash a world record.

Amber Fillary, 50, who used to live in Harbut Road, Clapham Junction, in the 1990’s, returned to Tooting Bec Lido on Saturday to break the world record for the longest underwater swim in one breath.

She completed a record breaking 104.8m underwater swim with just one breath in a time of two minutes and 43 seconds, watched by a crowd of hundreds.

She swam the 91.44m length of the pool and then turned and added a further 13.4m before surfacing.  

Tooting Bec Lido pool is one of Britain’s oldest and largest open-air pools, and the pool where Amber first experienced the thrill of ice swimming. 

“In my early 20s I was employed as a lifeguard for the South London Swimming Club at Tooting Bec Lido Pool, a pool that was kept open even during the winter months,” Amber said. “I would regularly join the club members in breaking the ice and swimming in the freezing water. 

“This is where my cold-water addiction started, as I experienced the amazing high you get from being in the icy water.”

South London Swimming Club was keen to host the event because it is believed in its 100-year history, no-one has ever managed a length underwater. In December 2022, the pool is due to be closed for refurbishment. 

Amber hopes to break another record and used this swim as part of her 100m training for a new underwater cold water swimming record in Norway. 

“It is such an honour to be able to go back to where it all started and use the swim as part of my training for the new attempt,” said Amber.

Amber currently holds the world record for the longest swim under ice on a single breath – 90m – which she completed in March 2022, in a time of 2mins 35sec.

And, as if swimming under 30cm of ice in freezing water was not enough, she completed the swim wearing only a bikini and goggles. 

For her next record attempt, Amber hopes to swim a minimum of 100m.

“The problem with setting records is that you always want to push yourself harder and further to see if you have what it takes to do more,” said Amber.

“After my coach mentioned tackling the 100m to me when I completed the 90m swim in 2020 in Norway, it has been something I have been working towards and hope to attain in March 2023.”

Pictured top: Amber Fillary (Picture: Jenifer Morrison)