I love to swim in places where I can see the bottom. So, I don't mind snorkeling in the Caribbean, but I can't seem to get excited about open swimming in other places.
I'm not trying to be controversial here, I was just wondering what is it about OW that you like, beyond the obvious reasons such as not confined to a pool/lane, it is outside, no flip turns, etc.
Parents
Former Member
I too love the open water. So much so that I host 2 open water events each summer. A 10km (6.6mile) and a 26.2km (16.25mile).
I love the clean clear water. I love how the sun dances on the top giving interesting patterns and shadows. I love swimming with trout, schools of fish, seeing fresh water crays, clam beds, sunken logs and breathing in fresh air!! Of course no chlorine is a given!!
I like it too when there is nothing but gazillions of meters below me, a vast and dark view.
Although I prefer fresh water, I have done a lot of ocean swims as well.
The challenge of the cooler water.
Pushing yourself to swim in inclement weather. (After all you can't pick race day)
Swimming with endangered species. 2 so far and counting!!
Learning how to stay calm when sea otters and seals want to 'play'.
Learning how to stay calm when dolphins rub your belly wanting to play. (this happened in a race, and I shot out of the water so high, after all they were grey and had fins!!)
The challenge of battling waves! And staying on course.
The feeling of freedom when the water is so calm that swimming seems so powerful!
The rhythmn of efficient strokes with no walls to watch for.
That each race and course is so different and each time will also be different, so finishing is an achievement.
And Yes, the apre swim comraderie!! Our group is one to join!!
I enjoy indoor too.
But my passion is certainly Open water. I was inspired to become a swimmer when I was 12. We were holidaying at a beach and I happened to be down on the bay rowing in my dingy. A large group of swimmers arrived and took off to swim the 3 miles across the harbour. I raced up to my Dad and said. "I am going to be a swimmer, and I am going to do that race". I did, only had to wait to learn to swim for another 20 years!! My Dad beamed the whole way across, as my support crew, a promise he made if I ever did the swim.
Kiwi
I too love the open water. So much so that I host 2 open water events each summer. A 10km (6.6mile) and a 26.2km (16.25mile).
I love the clean clear water. I love how the sun dances on the top giving interesting patterns and shadows. I love swimming with trout, schools of fish, seeing fresh water crays, clam beds, sunken logs and breathing in fresh air!! Of course no chlorine is a given!!
I like it too when there is nothing but gazillions of meters below me, a vast and dark view.
Although I prefer fresh water, I have done a lot of ocean swims as well.
The challenge of the cooler water.
Pushing yourself to swim in inclement weather. (After all you can't pick race day)
Swimming with endangered species. 2 so far and counting!!
Learning how to stay calm when sea otters and seals want to 'play'.
Learning how to stay calm when dolphins rub your belly wanting to play. (this happened in a race, and I shot out of the water so high, after all they were grey and had fins!!)
The challenge of battling waves! And staying on course.
The feeling of freedom when the water is so calm that swimming seems so powerful!
The rhythmn of efficient strokes with no walls to watch for.
That each race and course is so different and each time will also be different, so finishing is an achievement.
And Yes, the apre swim comraderie!! Our group is one to join!!
I enjoy indoor too.
But my passion is certainly Open water. I was inspired to become a swimmer when I was 12. We were holidaying at a beach and I happened to be down on the bay rowing in my dingy. A large group of swimmers arrived and took off to swim the 3 miles across the harbour. I raced up to my Dad and said. "I am going to be a swimmer, and I am going to do that race". I did, only had to wait to learn to swim for another 20 years!! My Dad beamed the whole way across, as my support crew, a promise he made if I ever did the swim.
Kiwi
