Best-selling authors Libby Page and Alexandra Heminsley will take the plunge in a discussion that will form part of the 2018 festival’s focus on wellbeing.
In her acclaimed debut novel The Lido, Ms Page traces the chance friendship of two women 60 years apart in age, but brought together by the threat of closure hanging over their London swimming pool.
Ms Page will be in discussion at the festival with Ms Heminsley, whose own book Leap In – described by the Sunday Times Magazine as ‘soaringly beautiful’ – outlines the reasons behind her decision to learn to swim and how she came to appreciate her body and the benefits of mindfulness.
Ms Heminsley’s other books include Running Like a Girl, making her an ideal interviewer for columnist Bryony Gordon, who will be at the Jersey Opera House on Friday 28 September to discuss her new book, Eat, Drink, Run.
Widely known for her work for the Telegraph and the journalistic scoop in which Prince Harry opened up about mental health, Ms Gordon has chronicled her own mental problems, including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and addiction.
Her latest book tells the story of her determination not to let those demons stop her training for and completing the 2017 London Marathon, and the life-changing benefits it brought.
Ms Gordon and Ms Heminsley will also be interviewed by Cathy Rentzenbrink at the Lido on Saturday 29 September.
The sport and fitness strand of the festival – which runs from Wednesday 26 September to Sunday 30 September – will be completed by a visit from celebrity trainer Faisal Abdalla, whose clients have included successful singer-songwriters Ellie Goulding and Harry Styles.
Mr Abdalla will be running two fitness classes at Club Soulgenic and signing his new book The PMA Method – which stands for Positive Mental Attitude.
Jennifer Bridge, the festival’s chairman, said: ‘This year’s programme has something of a feel-good factor, with an emphasis on personal wellbeing and a number of featured books with uplifting themes.
‘The sport and fitness titles are just part of that trend and we are delighted to be able to use another of Jersey’s heritage venues at Havre des Pas.’
For more information on the festival visit jerseyfestivalofwords.org.
