When the ocean wins

[SadieKate]

I'm with Oakleaf. I would have been asking if I could use my pontoon boat and oars.

[Biciclista]

you got into that water????
I wouldn't... not with whitecaps..

[Crankin]

I don't swim where I can't reach the bottom...
So I can't even fathom trying what you tried. I wouldn't feel bad at all.

[crazycanuck]

Thanks

Long post....I live in Australia & can't get away from the Ocean. I know it's a powerful & dangerous thing. It's out there and can't ignore it!

I have to admit i'm not 100% confident in the open water but will swim in it if it's calm & know the beach. I grew up inland & hated the lakes in Alberta..They're great for canoeing but not swimming...!

When I first went to NZ with my dear, I hadn't swum in the ocean for years. I'd never heard of a rip & one of my first intros to the ocean was how to get out one. I figured it out just as a surf lifesaver came along...

Anywho, our swim coach suggested going into the water when the sea breeze is in & get used to dealing with the conditions, a few 100m at a time. If I want to do this swim-even on a team-i'll have to practice when it's choppy.

There's a shorter 1.6k OWS this weekend but it's supposed to be windy yet again. I don't want to set myself up for failure but will speak to another person I swim with (a very good open water swimmer) to throw around thoughts. It's at a beach I know & love

I am not too concerned about the larger wildlife in the ocean. I know it's out there somewhere but then again, we cycle on roads with things that can kill us... I hate stingers & put vaseline on exposed areas to keep them away as much as possible. A sting is annoying & freakin itchy but it's all part of the game.

I do have to admit I am not a calm person all the time but moreso in the water. I think i do OWS to prove to myself that it's ok for me to be in the water other than to do boogie boarding etc. It also teaches me how to calm myself down if i encounter difficult conditions.

Would Yoga or Accupunture help???

The best thing about OWS...they're hard & fun!

[Catrin]

I am in awe of you! I cannot swim, outside of a backstroke in a swimming pool and am terrified to not be able to touch bottom - the thought of what you did is just amazing! You are certainly not a failure so don't feel like one - rather you showed maturity and wisdom at knowing when to pull out. Do keep us posted on what you decide to do.

[OakLeaf]

I live in Australia & can't get away from the Ocean. I know it's a powerful & dangerous thing. It's out there and can't ignore it!

I live three blocks from the ocean. I can hear it as I type this. That doesn't mean I have to swim in it. I'm still in awe of you.

[Tri Girl]

I'm INCREDIBLY impressed at your attempt!!!! Even tho I open water swim all the time at the lake, swimming in the ocean terrifies me. I think you are AMAZING for getting in at all and even trying. There is NO failure here- you stepped into the water- that's a victory in my opinion!!!

[crazycanuck]

I've entered a shorter (1.6km) OWS happening this saturday @ my fave beach. It's supposedly going to be windy this weekend but confirmed w my swim folks that it won't affect the beach we'll be at.

HOpefully the stingers will leave me alone