Olympic Swimmer Siobhan-Marie O’Connor Trains Hollywood Star Daisy Ridley for New Film “Young Woman and the Sea”
By Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
3 minutes read. Updated 1:00PM GMT Fri, June 21, 2024
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, a former Olympic silver medalist from Bath, England, took on the role of training actress Daisy Ridley for her portrayal of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle in the upcoming biopic “Young Woman and the Sea.”
Bridging the worlds of sports and cinema, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, renowned for her achievements in swimming, lent her expertise to Hollywood star Daisy Ridley for the highly anticipated film “Young Woman and the Sea.” The film, based on the inspiring life of Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle, the first woman to swim across the English Channel, is set to captivate audiences with its portrayal of Ederle’s groundbreaking journey.
Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, who clinched a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and is a Commonwealth Games champion, found herself in an unexpected role as a swimming coach for Ridley. Reflecting on her involvement, O’Connor expressed her gratitude, stating, “It was surreal to be part of this project.”
The collaboration between O’Connor and Ridley was born out of Ridley’s dedication to accurately portraying Ederle’s aquatic prowess. O’Connor, who retired from competitive swimming in 2021 due to health reasons, found herself immersed in a new realm of coaching and training. She recounted her initial surprise at being approached for the role, expecting it to be a one-time assessment, but instead found herself deeply involved in Ridley’s preparation for the role.
“Young Woman and the Sea” chronicles Trudy Ederle’s remarkable journey from overcoming adversity to becoming a symbol of female empowerment through her record-breaking swims and pioneering spirit. O’Connor, reflecting on Ederle’s legacy, emphasized the importance of bringing her story to a wider audience, stating, “Trudy’s achievements deserve recognition on a global scale.”
O’Connor’s training regimen with Ridley took them from London to Bulgaria, where they filmed scenes set in the Black Sea. Describing Ridley’s commitment to the role, O’Connor praised her progress in mastering swimming techniques, noting, “Her dedication was truly incredible.”
In addition to her role as Ridley’s swimming coach, O’Connor also secured a cameo appearance in the film, adding another layer of authenticity to the project. “Being part of the film was an unforgettable experience,” O’Connor remarked, “I’m immensely proud to have contributed to telling Trudy’s story.”
As “Young Woman and the Sea” prepares to make waves in cinemas worldwide, Siobhan-Marie O’Connor’s collaboration with Daisy Ridley stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring legacy of trailblazing women like Gertrude Ederle.
