How Triswim helped me to become a better swimmer – in the sea
Ever since I called a quaint harbour village in South Africa my home, I fantasized about swimming in the sea—well, truth be told, my real dream was to dive with seals. But let’s zero in on the fact that back then, I was a “waterphobe” who couldn’t swim to save my life.
Fast forward 10 years, and after some failed attempts at going from a confident pool swimmer straight to the sea – no matter how many hours I have spent in the pool, I was still terrified of the sea – I have come across Triswim and their offer of open water swimming.
This is my second year of swimming with Triswim, and my firs year of ditching the wetsuit on most swims. Why did I cast aside this neoprene security blanket? Blame it on Laura Ansell, Triswim’s coach extraordinaire, who suggested this radical move to help with my back injury recovery—a saga for another day.
But let’s cut to the chase—how did Triswim help me conquer my crippling fear of the sea?
Firstly, after spending most weekends in one of the Triswim lakes, I have become more relaxed in open water, which in turn meant that I swam better and stronger than ever before. I mastered the art of “sighting” while swimming, and thanks to the occasional winter-like summer mornings, I became unfazed by “dark water”—my term for when the lake looks all broody under an overcast sky.
Next, my frequent lake escapades turned me into a cold water connoisseur. No more waiting for balmy weather or lugging heaps of gear. Now, I dive into the sea come rain or shine, at dawn’s crack before the sun can toast my extremities, and even on January 1st—because, why not?
Lastly, I have become a stronger swimmer by being consistent. Simple as that. At the beginning of summer (it was still spring, really) took advantage of the unlimited membership option with one promise, I need to make it worthwhile and swim in the lake at least twice each week. Sure, I still dabble in pool swimming (but much less now), yet my regular lake sessions have not only beefed up my stamina but also bolstered my confidence and safety in the sea.
So, here’s to Triswim for turning my aquatic nightmares into dreams come true, one swim at a time – my most recent adventure being a week spent swimming around the beautiful Cornish coastline, where I packed not one, not two, but six swimming costumes (and not worn my wetsuit once, ha!).
I should add, the sea can be ruthless, and we hear about accidents far too often on the news. Before you head out to the sea, make sure you familiarize yourself with the area, check the tide times, and see if there’s a lifeguard on duty. Never swim alone, and always wear your visibility gear. Your safety is paramount.
