I never thought I could swim from Sydney to Brisbane.
I never intended to swim 1,000 kilometers. When I started swimming again (I used to swim a lot as a kid, but surfing and life got in the way), I just wanted to be a better swimmer. But this week I passed this milestone – 1,000 kilometers.
I have always enjoyed the ocean, and since 2016 I have immersed myself as part of my morning ritual. Whilst so much has changed this year, it has been a life-saver to have a constant and one that helps get my day off to the best start.
Living in a beachside suburb I was able to join the local swimming group, the Bold and Beautiful Its premise is simple, to encourage people to make swimming part of their health routine. It’s an informal group and an excellent example of volunteer fitness communities. Started in 2008 with just four people, over 17,000 individual swimmers have since registered, recording a cumulative swimming mileage of over 887,000km. Every morning, at 7.00 am the group swims1,500 metres across Cabbage Tree Bay marine reserve, tracking their progress via the swimming app.
So why has this taken off? I guess simplicity is the secret to its success. The BnB as a group has a winning combination of a low barrier to entry (match your swimming ability with ocean conditions), an inclusive mix of swimmers (it attracts a range of abilities so you can always find someone to swim with at your own pace), it’s economical (zero cost of entry), it’s regular (daily) and most of all it's social.
Obviously, my 1,000kms of swimming has not been an overnight win, but instead the culmination of about 650 swims made over the past few years. So what have I learnt from this?
Showing up matters. Suppose you want to be better at something then just turn-up and give it a go. You can spend a lot of time talking about optimising techniques to improve swimming but fundamentally, you become better and more experienced at something if you do it regularly. The most important part of progress is the act of turning up regularly.
There is no such thing as cold water, just poor wetsuit choice. Many brave souls take on the challenge of year around swimming with just lycra and a silicon cap for warmth but with winter temperatures as low as 14 degrees, this can be off-putting for some. Everyone has their own choice of swimming attire, with some sighting the health benefits of cold water immersion, whilst others like the challenge and collect badges, such as, the Winter-without-wetsuit brigade, but for me choosing the right suit to keep me warm during the 1.5 to 4.0km swims is the way to go. Personally I am more motivated to swim regularly if I know I am not going to freeze whilst doing it!
Be prepared to get wet. It sounds obvious but not every day is a like a dip in the pool. Ocean conditions change constantly and when the wind, swell, and water temperatures combine, it makes the ocean feels different every day and sets a new daily challenge to everyone who walks down the ramp into the water. This variety removes the 'black line fever' or monotony that pool swimmers talk about.
Never too fast or old to make a splash. The variety of swimmer capabilities makes it unique with some seriously fast swimmers and those who are just taking in the aquarium like quality of Cabbage Tree Bay. You would say it's pretty special to share a pool with former Australian surf champions, channel swimmers, and octogenarians, but that is the distribution of swimmers. The variety of capability allows you to choose your own speed, distance, and experience on the day.
Keep your eyes open. Although the water clarity changes each day, there is always something to see in this pristine marine park. For most people, a swim without seeing a shark is a good thing, but sightings of Grey Nurse sharks, Wobbegong & Dusky Whalers are common, as are other marine life such as turtles, dolphins, giant cuttlefish, and Gropers. Most days are awe-inspiring for some reason, whether it's the sunrise, water movement, or sea creatures, there is always something to remind you of how lucky we are to have this pristine nature reserve nature reserve right here on our door step.
Don't fear the unknown/dark. I agree it's not a natural thing to do but at certain times of the year it's pitch black when we start a swim at 6.00 AM. Even 12 months ago, I would have been overcome with fear by swimming in the pre-dawn, but with constant exposure during the winter months, I've found myself swimming out into the darkness with my swim buddies, lights on our goggles and enjoying the experience. It makes a huge difference surrounded by friends and the feeling of safety in numbers with an upside that sometimes you see phosphorescence lighting the way.
Silent but sensory. For me, swimming allows time to switch off from the everyday, puts my brain in neutral, and allows me to focus only on gliding through the water. Periods of 'uni-focus' are rare these days, but there is a beautiful simplicity in focusing on being a better swimmer, one arm stroke at a time. I find the repetitive nature of the movement is deeply calming.
Building social capital. When engagement and trust in our society are declining, it is great to see how 'hyper-local' community groups attract so many people. In non-COVID times each swim is followed by a small group gathering to share coffee and converse on the usual topics: sea creatures spotted, ocean conditions, and the day ahead. I have found this everyday gentle connection broadening my friendship circle and deepening my links in the local community.
Swimmers are a healthy bunch. Neither age nor body shape are reliable indicators of swimming ability. It's well known that exercising in water gives the body more support, improves heart function, expands lung capacity & builds strength through the whole body. Regular swimmers have bio-ages much less than their peers, and it’s also a sport you can continue to do into your later years and could change your life.
I acknowledge everyone does not live by the beach or have the desire to swim daily, but encourage you to find your own daily health routine. Something that leaves you feeling recharged with a sense of accomplishment of improving your physical health, social connections, and connection to the community.
** Currently Suspended - Bold and Beautiful Swim Group acknowledges the spread of Corona virus and its impact on health. The Bold & Beautiful will not be taking place until government / public health officials deem social gathering safe to resume. Check website for details.