We’ve got some much radness lined up onsite at Camp VC this year and they don’t come radder than the awesome Becca and Nat of The Queens of Antur who are coming to the event with their adventure tent this year!
Hailing from South Wales (also home to Camp VC!), The Queens of Antur are some of the most inspiring, wild swimming, moto ripping adventurers that we know so who better to join for a ride out and wild swim or to hang with and learn about foraging and fire building?! Yup, we told you, THEY ARE THE COOLEST!
Get to know the girls and what they’re up to ahead of the event by following them on instagram and read on to find out all about what they’re bringing along to the event below!
Hey Becca and Nat! So tell us what Queens of Antur are all about for anyone who isn’t familiar with you guys already!
We started the Queens of Antur because we loved spending time in the outdoors and we wanted to empower other women to get out there! We are also both photographers and wanted to document our own adventures to share with others in the hopes of inspiring them to enjoy the free wilderness.
Our search for adventure with the Queens has seen us travel throughout the UK, Europe, USA and Canada. Wild swimming and hiking in some amazing surroundings that we will never forget.
Prior to the Coronavirus restrictions we held group events for women to meet in a safe space and experience the outdoors. We have held events including activities such as wild swimming, hiking and even outdoor cookouts. We can not wait to start these up again and have plans for a wild camping event and many more cold water dips!
We aim to share our love of the outdoors, pass on our knowledge and skills, break down stereotypes and meet some fiercely cool women doing it!
How did you first get into wild swimming?
We have always swum since we were children. Luckily we were brought up in the coast and mountains so water has always surrounded us. It’s a natural pastime. Our friendship began in a running club and soon after the beach became our go to place to hang out. Our passion for sea swimming led us to seek new places out and therefore river and lake swimming was a natural progression. Each body of water comes with its own set of factors, mood and feel. We’ve become obsessed with finding the next spot swim wherever we go.
It must take some serious balls to wild swim in winter, right?! Brrrrrrrr
Haha yes, I suppose it does although it’s definitely mind over matter here. We have definitely looked out at the water on a wild day in December and thought are we mad? but we always get in! We never regret a swim, the way we feel afterwards makes it worth pushing through that barrier.
What’s your fave thing about wild swimming?
We have met so many amazing people through this community and we all hail from different walks of life but swimming brings us together. It’s also about being in the moment and absorbing the incredible environments we swim in fully.
It is the ultimate reset! We haven’t yet found anything that affects us the way cold water swimming does. Once you starts It is totally addictive.
What’s the most rad fact about you guys?
We are actually both creative arts lecturers at a local college and I suppose we don’t fit the mold of what you would perceive a teacher to be, we are both heavily tattooed, we have longboards and Nat rides a motorcycle.
What made you want to get involved with Camp VC?
We first experienced Camp VC when Nat attended the festival in 2019 and hasn’t stopped talking it about it since. We love the fact the festival celebrates women being exactly who they want to be, unapologetically. The fact that a sisterhood has been formed, where women can safely try new things and let their hair down. Where the likeminded find each other and share their passions. It’s the most welcoming environment.
What are you guys bringing along for the Queens of Antur Adventure tent at Camp VC this year!
Our best friend (one another) a lot of swim kit, bushcraft tools, art supplies and a safe space with big smiles!
What activities have you guys got lined up for the event?
We’ve got an action packed weekend with everything from a ride out and wild swim and foraging workshops to Lino print making, Zine designing and talks about wild swimming and cold water therapy! We can’t wait to welcome everyone along to join in!
What are you looking forward to most at Camp VC?
Leading our ride out and wild swim. We have scoped the most magical location for this that we think we blow you all away. We know the impact swimming in the wilds has on us and we can’t wait it share it with first timers in particular.
Do you guys ride motorcycles yet?
Nat has a CBT and rides a 125cc Lexmoto Michigan and Becca is set to get on her first bike at Camp VC this year! Hopefully progressing to do her CBT next year! Whoop!