When In Doubt, Swim

 

When in doubt, swim. Immerse yourself. Get away from the noise. Surround yourself with water. Float. Observe. Feel. Breathe. Swim.

 

It feels liberating. Healthy. We all know that feeling.  For Orca ambassadors, Clement, Nick and Joanna, open water swimming is a challenge, a unique way to find yourself. It is a sport that invites you to get away from it all, interact with your surroundings, contemplate in search of new perspectives, rediscover your inner strengths and make peace with your insecurities. 

For Clement, swimming signifies freedom as he surrounds himself with the deep blue of the ocean, hoping to encounter some of the sea creatures housed in it. It represents adventure as an infinite and boundless source of energy. On one of his expeditions, he finally understood what Jacques Cousteau meant by "the aquarium of the world," because he discovered a place that captivated him with its rich biodiversity.

 

 

The Gulf of California, also known as the Mar de Cortés, is located between the Baja California Peninsula and the mainland of Mexico. It is known for being home to half of the world's marine mammalian species and 75% of those that inhabit the coasts of Mexico. Dolphins, sea lions, whales, orcas... the abundance of marine wildlife is spectacular. The presence of one of the only three living coral reefs in North America only adds to the sea's impressiveness. Undoubtedly, it is an idyllic ecosystem for lovers of oceans and marine wildlife.

The Bay of Biscay is also one of his favorite places in his native country, France. The underwater canyon, located 300m from the coast of Capbreton and Hossegor, is a geological anomaly as one of the few canyons that connects with the coast. This fact makes it a refuge for many species of mammals as well as an amazing place to snorkel.

 

 

As for Joanna and Nick, they are more likely to be found floating on their backs in a lake surrounded by mountains, enjoying the reflection on the water of the landscape, sunrise, sunset, or even the moonlight. Both agree that the most stimulating thing about swimming, in cold or warm water, is the overwhelming feeling of happiness that follows a swim, no matter the distance reached, and the privilege of being there, in the very present moment.

 

 

Crummock is Joanna's favorite place, in the Northwest of England. The Lake District is a national park that was declared a World Heritage Site in 2017. It is the largest in England, and one of the country's few mountainous regions. The area brings together two of the things Joanna likes the most, a large expanse of water surrounded by mountains.

She emphasizes that swimming in lakes is a different experience depending on the weather and that the rain's effect on the waves and water makes the challenge all the more exhilarating. According to Joanna, open water swimming has made her a braver and more determined person, and certainly is an exceptional tool for clearing the mind, relaxing and gaining perspective.

 

 

On the northwest coast of Wales is Anglesey, an island connected by two bridges that cross the Menai Strait.  Nick remarks on the beaches in this area, his favorite place to swim, which is also known for its dry land, as the island was home to the ancient druids. A place so magical is definitely worth a visit.

Nick shares an old saying with us about how, although we may not always feel like it, by the time you get out of the water, you will never regret having gone for a swim. "After an open water swim, everyone is happy."