Bethan Parker

I joined Pen-y-bont SLSC when I was 11 years old. As a member of the club, I have competed in a number of different competitions like the Welsh champs and British champs.

I am also an IRB Crewman/driver which is great fun.

I also volunteer and help out down the beach with patrols as and when my job allows me to. Being a member of Pen-y-bont from a young age has helped give me confidence in life outside of the club and helps to keep me all round fit. The training I do also helps keep me resilient and robust, all helping me when I joined the army, where unknowingly, I was the first female to join an all-male regiment.

At first it was hard work but I settled in quite quickly once I got to my regiment. Having the background from the club helped a lot! The physical exercise was pretty hard and I knew that being the first female, I had to prove myself more than the guys! I knew I was fit thanks to my sporting background so keeping up with the guys wasn’t a problem.