‘Water is in a forever state of flux. To swim is to witness metamorphosis, in our environment, in ourselves. To swim is to accept all the myriad conditions of life.’
– Bonnie Tsui, Why We Swim
February already! I’m pleased with my ‘open water’ progress so far this year – I’ve completed my first sunrise swim, full moon swim, tog-less swim (at night! no photos, don’t worry), waterfall swim, snorkelled at the marine reserve, and done my first open water swim event (more on that later). But it’s all been pretty easy with this great weather, warm-ish (or not freezing) water, low covid case numbers in my city, and long summer days.
Over the next few months, however, all of those things will change and yesterday I was reminded just how important it is for me to keep getting in the water. This week I’ve had a child at home with a tummy bug and covid case numbers are rising (local shops are starting to become ‘locations of interest’), so I haven’t been going out much. The weather has also been grey and blustery and muggy, threatening to rain but not quite managing it. I’ve been falling into a familiar funk of no routine, broken sleep, aimlessly scrolling through news updates and social media, battling negative self-talk, and worrying about the future. I knew that a swim – or any exercise, actually – would lift my spirits, but it felt like a Catch-22. I needed energy to do the thing that would give me energy.
Yesterday, late in the afternoon, I forced myself to get into my togs – I instantly felt better – and grabbed my ‘summer swim’ gear (hooded towel, t-shirt and shorts to change into afterwards, swim cap and goggles). The beach was deserted and the sea surface rippled from the strong northerly. Sand blew across my bare legs beneath the granite sky. I put on my cap and goggles, hid my keys in my hooded towel’s handy side pocket (no one would ever think to look there!), and approached the water.
Cold on my feet, cold on my legs. Waist deep. Then, in. (I am businesslike in my water entries. I do it most days and I am getting in regardless, so there’s no point prancing around and squealing – although I may swear a bit in winter.) It’s still summer, but with no sun to warm its surface the sea is colder. Face in, head in, and through my goggles I see the sandy floor and dollops of bright green sea lettuce, a little hermit crab below.
File photo, under the water.
When alone, I don’t swim out of my depth. It’s just my personal rule. So I swam up and down the shoreline, enjoying the freedom and solitude and movement. For a few precious minutes I’m just there, moving my arms, turning, breathing. Seagulls and oystercatchers flapped above me. A couple of other women arrived and got in the water; we smiled at one another.
Swimming along with the current, I can glide and the water is calm. Swimming back against it, the water is choppy and I have to work harder, which I still enjoy. Using power and force, I feel more in control. Just for a short time. At the end, I always have a little dive and float session. 800m in 12 minutes, said my swim watch. I’m not measuring my swims, but I like to monitor the minutes because I lose my sense of time in the water and in the colder months it’s important not to overstay my welcome.
Whatever the next few months bring, at least I can get in the water at any time, for free, and keep going (with care). Someone on the beach told me I was brave the other day, after I emerged from an 8am dip. I like being told that, but I don’t really feel brave until June!
My swim goals for the next few months:
Swim in new locations. I tend to get into a bit of a rut and stick close to home, but that’s mostly a convenience thing (and safety-related because I know the area well).
Do longer swims with others. There are some groups in town who meet early and swim in the harbour, and I’d like to join them.
Just keep swimming! Exactly, Dory. That’s the main one. It brings me so much pleasure and I don’t want all the other distractions to pull my attention away. I need that time in the water.
I’m still keen for the worser to seatoun swim Shona. Great blog BTW
I can relate to do much of this! Hopefully see you as you tackle goal #2!