The water’s calm, so what’s the problem?

As a regular saltwater swimmer, I’d like to think that I’m capable, consistent and confident in getting on with my ocean swims. In fact, I’m so comfortable in the big blue that I always take my camera with me, ready for whatever the ocean turns up. So why did I pass up my Saturday swim yesterday?

I was not safe to swim. I was not safe to drive.

Fatigue and being unwell are the most comon reasons why someone is not fit to swim. I had succumbed to the first, I was fatigued.

The doubts rolled in.

Should I go, (I always go!)? What will the other swimmers say if I don’t swim? For a brief period of time I battled with these and other thoughts before finding my ground. As an ocean swimmer, it is my responsibility to listen to my body first. Swimming in the ocean demands that the swimmer responds to the water’s movements which makes it very different to pool swimming. It also dawned on me that I was not safe to drive myself to the beach. Swimming with fatigue isn’t ideal and neither is driving.

I promised myself I’d jump back in for a swim at the next opportunity.

Luckily, my dreamy husband said those magical words, “Why don’t you go for an ocean swim tomorrow morning?”

I woke today feeling rested! I had energy to explore and curiosity to play with.

In my photos you can see how I found the sunlight that played on the sand, and watched surfers ride standing shore breaks, and discovered colours in the waves that the Kurrawa IRB team faced time and time again during their training.

Swimming with fatigue or when unwell changes your endurance, swim technique and overall comfort in the water. It is my hope that you too listen to your body. In doing so, it may give you many more opportunities to enjoy what the ocean has to offer.