This week I bought a pair of goggles as I figured I am not getting enough swimming done these days. I don't belong to a gym so it is not easy to swim. I don't really enjoy the sea that much as it is very salty. So this week I decided that it would be a good idea for me to get goggles as it would make sea swimming more desirable.
Armed with my new pair of goggles, I went to the beach. Gray clouds were rolling in and the wind picked up by the time I got there - about 6pm. It is light until after 9pm so 6pm is not late. The beaches are at their fullest from 4 to 7 pm I would think, as the sun is not at its fiercest from 4 pm onwards. I arrived and looked at the waters. I felt like I was in Durban, not Barcelona. What is usually a very calm sea with small waves lapping the shore had become high breakers crashing onto the shore. It must have been the wind. So I got in and swam in the waves for a little while. It was lots of fun ducking and diving in the waves. My plan was to swim out to the floating buoys which demarcate the swimming area. The buoys are about 300 meters from the shore. I have often swum out to the buoys and had a really good swim. Today I was a bit hesitant though.
After building up some confidence in the surf I decided to make a go for it. I noticed two other swimmers out there so the safety in numbers gave me comfort. I made my way past the breakers and then began to swim through the swells, heading out further. It felt good and liberating to be out there - amidst the forces of nature. Until ... I saw a huge swell which seemed like it would turn over a boat! I thought this might not be such a good idea. Then I saw what looked like a professional swimmer, swimming to the side of me and I thought "I can't quit now". More courage, and I headed towards the buoys. It was easy swimming out there as there was a backwash which pulled me out. Finally I reached the buoy. I noticed one other swimmer holding onto a buoy a few meters away from my one. This couldn't be so dangerous!! Happy to get heading back, I turned around and got freestyling out of there! Me against the backwash. It was a rough ride!! Anyway I made it back with short stints of swimming in the swells and lots of lying back and kicking - backstroke. When my feet touched the sand again, I felt glad to be back on solid ground.
 |
| The sea is usually calm like this |
Armed with my new pair of goggles, I went to the beach. Gray clouds were rolling in and the wind picked up by the time I got there - about 6pm. It is light until after 9pm so 6pm is not late. The beaches are at their fullest from 4 to 7 pm I would think, as the sun is not at its fiercest from 4 pm onwards. I arrived and looked at the waters. I felt like I was in Durban, not Barcelona. What is usually a very calm sea with small waves lapping the shore had become high breakers crashing onto the shore. It must have been the wind. So I got in and swam in the waves for a little while. It was lots of fun ducking and diving in the waves. My plan was to swim out to the floating buoys which demarcate the swimming area. The buoys are about 300 meters from the shore. I have often swum out to the buoys and had a really good swim. Today I was a bit hesitant though.
After building up some confidence in the surf I decided to make a go for it. I noticed two other swimmers out there so the safety in numbers gave me comfort. I made my way past the breakers and then began to swim through the swells, heading out further. It felt good and liberating to be out there - amidst the forces of nature. Until ... I saw a huge swell which seemed like it would turn over a boat! I thought this might not be such a good idea. Then I saw what looked like a professional swimmer, swimming to the side of me and I thought "I can't quit now". More courage, and I headed towards the buoys. It was easy swimming out there as there was a backwash which pulled me out. Finally I reached the buoy. I noticed one other swimmer holding onto a buoy a few meters away from my one. This couldn't be so dangerous!! Happy to get heading back, I turned around and got freestyling out of there! Me against the backwash. It was a rough ride!! Anyway I made it back with short stints of swimming in the swells and lots of lying back and kicking - backstroke. When my feet touched the sand again, I felt glad to be back on solid ground.
No comments:
Post a Comment