Sport: Open Water Swimming
Clubs: Lisburn Swim Club/Lough Neagh Monster Dunkers
At just 19 years old, Jessika Robson is already a Guinness World Record holder, a North Channel finisher, and an accomplished ice swimmer. Her story is one of grit, growth, and a genuine desire to uplift others—especially women, girls, and the open water swimming community.
Jessika has been swimming for the past nine years, starting out at Lisburn Swim Club in the pool. When Covid-19 shut down indoor facilities, she began sea dipping with her mum. What started as a way to stay active soon turned into a passion. Looking for more of a challenge from just the regular sea dips, Jessika joined the Lough Neagh Monster Dunkers. This is where she met her wonderful coach Dorothy Johnston. Her open water journey started humbly—just 45 seconds in the cold water on her first attempt. But that didn’t last long. Today, Jessika is known for her gruelling 2, 4, and even 6-hour swims, often setting course records in the process. Dorothy along with her swimming partner Oscar propel her through her journey. Her coach has created a family environment learning when to support and when to give a bit of tough love.
Open water swimming has been a place that has challenged Jessika. She has learned not just grit, but also determination and healthy mindset During her first attempt at the North Channel, Jessika spent nearly five hours swimming in place due to harsh currents. When she returned to the Channel under calmer conditions, she still faced new difficulties: a jellyfish sting and a painful tendril stuck in her suit made the swim physically brutal. But nothing slowed her down—it only made her more determined.
Since then, Jessika has completed the Irish Triple Crown and is working to support another young swimmer, Oscar, on his Channel swim. When asked what’s next, Jessika says she’s focused on finishing her A-levels. But she also has big plans for the summer, including participating in the ‘Swimmers Against Sewage’ relay. Representing Northern Ireland, this swim raises awareness around water quality—an issue close to Jessika’s heart. As an advocate for the Clean Water Sports Alliance, she speaks out about how poor water quality can limit training and negatively impact swimmers’ health. She talked about experiences of canceled training sessions, and when your drive an hour each way this matters.
Beyond her achievements in the water, Jessika is also a coach, eager to use her experience to support women and girls starting out in sport. She credits her success to her strong support system—especially her coaches, both in the pool and open water. She also reflected on how one coach learned alongside her through puberty, a period that many girls say is when they drop out of sport. “My coach had never coached teenage girls before,” Jessika explained. “But he learned with me. Nowadays, he’s super supportive.” “He understands how and when to encourage me, I know that is not the experience for everyone. I want to make a space where girls can see female coaches and get the best support to say in sport”
Jessika is passionate about helping others reach their goals while staying true to her own journey. She describes swimming as a huge mental and emotional outlet. “It’s a stress reliever for me,” she said. “It lets me step away from everything else for a while. Yes, I know the exam I need to study for still exists—but I can separate that time out.” And when the hours in the water get long? “I just sing songs in my head to pass the time.”
Jessika Robson is a remarkable example of resilience, passion, and leadership. She embodies what it means to embrace sport not just for competition, but for community, confidence, and wellbeing. Thank you Jessika for being a great role model. Find out more about the Clean Water Sports Alliance (HERE) and opportunities to get into Open Water Swimming (HERE)