"Star Wars" actress Daisy Ridley shares her experience wearing heavy duty vintage swimming costumes for her role in "Young Woman and the Sea," based on a true story from the 1920s.
Daisy Ridley, renowned for her portrayal in the "Star Wars" franchise, recently faced a unique challenge in her latest film, "Young Woman and the Sea." Ridley took on the role of Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle, a real-life Olympic swimmer who made history in 1926 by becoming the first woman to swim across the English Channel.
In order to accurately represent Ederle's journey, Ridley and her co-star, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, were required to wear heavy duty vintage swimming costumes. These costumes, reminiscent of the late Victorian era, consisted of full coverage clothing, full tights, and shoes.
Recalling her experiences, Ridley describes the costumes as "like wearing a weight vest." She explains that swimming in these garments was extremely challenging, akin to doing doggy paddle on a treadmill. "You feel like, 'Why am I not moving?'" she quips.
Cobham-Hervey echoes Ridley's sentiments, describing the costumes as "Beautiful to look at, very not practical. Dry? Beautiful. Wet? Very difficult."
Beyond the physical exhaustion, Ridley also took on an additional role in "Young Woman and the Sea" as an executive producer. She recalls being treated as a partner in the filmmaking process, with her opinions valued and her ideas implemented. Ridley expresses her pride in being credited as an executive producer, especially considering the collaborative nature of the project.
In preparing for the role of Ederle, Ridley underwent rigorous training with Olympic silver medal winner Siobhan O'Connor. Despite her initial struggles, Ridley's swimming technique improved significantly, and she was able to swim 150 meters in the sea while battling currents and keeping up with the camera boat.
Ridley's involvement in "Young Woman and the Sea" extended beyond her acting role. She participated in early script development, emphasizing the importance of the sister relationship at the heart of the film. Her executive producer role allowed her to have a say in casting and ensure that her vision for the film was realized.
The real-life Ederle's story is an inspiring tale of overcoming adversity. Born in 1905, Ederle contracted measles as a child, leaving her with a near fatal illness. However, her determination to swim led her to the U.S. Olympic team in 1924, where she won a gold medal.
Despite facing discrimination and doubt, Ederle embarked on her historic English Channel swim in 1926, setting a new record. Ridley hopes that "Young Woman and the Sea" will inspire audiences to embrace their own dreams and seek out support from others who believe in them.
"Young Woman and the Sea" is now playing in theaters, offering a poignant glimpse into Ederle's remarkable journey and the challenges faced by women in the early 20th century.
