A warm, reflective and uplifting memoir about healing wounds, reclaiming a voice and discovering freedom through the open water.
The open water. To the uninitiated, it represents the unknown, an expanse of mystery and uncertainty. But to those who brave the wild waters, it is so much more. A space to heal. A place of communion. A balm to quieten the mind, soothe the soul, and allow you to reconnect with the world and yourself.
Emma Simpson discovered wild swimming after a period of immense pain. Lost in grief, disillusioned with life, and feeling increasingly untethered from the world, she instinctively felt the pull of the water. There she found an unexpected source of hope and strength, a profound sense of connection, and a glorious sisterhood of women - each with their own remarkable stories to tell.
Interweaving the tales of these inspirational women with reflections on her own experiences, Emma explores themes ranging from devastating loss to birth and rebirth, and from chronic illness to body confidence. Whether describing the taste of an iceberg or a kiss from a baby whale, Breaking Waves is a love letter to womanhood and the open water. It's also a celebration of community, renewal and the power of writing your own life story. Above all else, it is a joyous celebration of going with the flow.
Emma Simpson is an award-winning narrative non-fiction author and wild swimmer whose work explores the transformative power of open water, community, and personal resilience. Her debut memoir, Breaking Waves: Discovery, Healing and Inspiration in the Open Water, published in March 2025, interweaves stories from women around the world with reflections on her own journey of grief, healing, and renewal through wild swimming. Her writing stands at the intersection of personal narrative and broader human connection, drawing on lived experience and the primal forces of nature. Prior to becoming an author, Emma spent over two decades working as an air traffic controller and is trained in coaching psychology, blending her understanding of human behavior with her passion for storytelling. She is also a qualified tea sommelier and her future projects include explorations of cultural rituals, heritage, and everyday stories of beauty and resilience. Emma lives in the south of England with her husband, children, and a menagerie of pets, and can often be found swimming in rivers, drinking tea with friends, or striking up conversations with strangers.
