Sea swimming

Leap in by Alexandra Heminsley is one of a number of books I looked at reading because of my interest and new found habit of sea swimming.  

Up until lockdown I was a regular in our local pool, and sea swimming would have taken place in glorious sunshine, where the sky and sea are the same colour blue. Oh and of course warm. I know why I swam in a pool, but I wanted to read what drives someone to walk into the often cold, and very temperamental sea. Alexandra is an accomplished runner so the reason was not to get fit.

 

It seems that living in Brighton, near the sea, her first venture was an impulse on the morning of her wedding. Then, after her honeymoon, she did it again, albeit it was a completely different experience. The weather had changed and the sea less inviting, which left her a bit shaken. From here we learn of her joining a specific course to get ready for a sea swim challenge. 

We hear of how, as an adult how daunting it can be getting into a swimming costume in front of strangers. 

Then realising getting into a wetsuit is even scarier not to mention embarrassing, especially at the awkwardness of trying to force limbs into what feels like a rubber tube. Her description is the best one I have ever read and is so realistic. She takes us through the frustration at learning how to breathe correctly. The joy, and the benefits that inhaling and exhaling brings to your overall experience.

 

Following on from the initial sea swim challenge, Alexandra takes us on a journey to experience a river swim, and a swim holiday in Greece where the challenges range from, swimming from island to island to around islands. Here again she provides such a descriptive account of swimming in clear, warm and quite salty water. Anyone who has ever worn ill-fitting goggles will nod along and giggle in recognition.

While I have not yet finished the book, it is an easy read, being funny, informative, and very descriptive. It is also inspiring. If you want to do something, just leap in and once you discover you can overcome one challenge, you gain the confidence to challenge yourself to another. Life is about the experiences lived, not about how much money you make, or how many possessions you own. So go on, leap into life! Due to Level 5 restrictions it is not possible to reserve physical items presently.