Our Path to the Lake
Swimming and I fell in love when I was five years old.
We first connected in the cool, June days in our local pool with the Penguins swim team. Wet rainbow ribbons, Papa John's pizza, and ice pops were some of our closest companions. In these early days, we spent every moment together. If there was water deep enough to wade in, swimming and I were probably there, enjoying ourselves.
Like most serious relationships, we went through our honeymoon phase.
For many years, I was obsessed. Some summer nights I would sleep in my swimsuit anxiously waiting for the next time.
But as we know, the honeymoon phase had to end, and real love began. I started training with Machine Aquatics by the age of 7, where I would swim 5 times a week. This was where we learned everything about each other.
I learned quickly how much it taxes me. How much pain it brings. How scary it can be.
And with that, how reliable, how meditative, how knowledgeable it is as well.
Swimming has seen me grow up. It has seen every possible version of me. It knocked me down a thousand times, and picked me up a thousand and one.
It opened every door I was meant to walk through. It paid for my education. It introduced me to my greatest teachers.
It’s seen me on top of the world in my prime fitness, and carried me through traumas.
At the end of the day, it was always going to be us.
So when I first moved to New Zealand, and found my way to Wanaka of course I looked for it.
I didn’t know anyone in this town and I was trying to settle in. But I had swimming.
I started coaching for the Wanaka Swim Club and found a new way to love swimming.
Sharing this love. Our love.
So I write today to share this love with you.
I write today to tell you that this love and I will attempt another great challenge together.
In February I will swim the longest race of my life. I will attempt to swim the Length of Lake Wanaka. It is a 44km (27.3 mile) straight shot from Makarora to the beach in Wanaka.
It will be the greatest trial of my life.
