The most incredible sport I have taken up since I have been here is the Aussie Ocean Swims. There is nothing quite like running into the sea within a pack of people on a beautiful sunny day and diving into the bluest of oceans. With the blast of adrenalin, excitement and anticipation of swimming within the raw elements with no aid but my own being, I feel more alive than ever.
My first race here was the Cole Classic in Manly Beach. It had strangely rained so much non-stop for the previous two days there was talk that it might be cancelled. But on the morning of the swim the rain had stopped and the race was on. A small alteration had been made to the course which meant swimming further out to sea – great I might get a shark sighting after all!
There is a fantastic pre-race atmosphere as all the swimmers with their brightly coloured hats (to reveal real age) wait their turn for their category to be called. These ocean swims aren’t just about your swimming ability, but how you handle this kind of sea assault course. The initial stage of the race is the most testing dew to the catapulting splash of strong sea salted water and flying arms and legs attacking from every direction.
I found myself laughing because I felt right in my element. With no fear of the water or the swim ahead this was the best sporting challenge I’ve had in a long time. The race settles out and a good pace was found. There’s no swimming lane boredom here but extraordinary surprises, one being the amazing sea life, lots of different shoals of fish, the sun beaming in like pure paradise then the Oceans natural swell which was pretty big on this day.
I reached the last cone to mark the way and gave it everything to the shore with final sprint up the beach to the finish. I suddenly felt really sick and very nearly throw up – the first aid ran over asking if I needed assistance! No, I think I was suffering from simple seasickness. I enjoyed that swim far too much for it to pain related!
I have been hooked ever since, competing nearly every weekend and training is even better. On a Saturday morning I meet friends and we do the Manly to Shelly swim. It’s so much fun, random people join us, we see the shoals of fish to swim through then finish the morning off with a big Brekki in one of the beach cafes. I love this place more and more each day. Who needs a holiday when you can have all this?
