Old Friends New Friends

"Get ready to swim. I have a friend who is an open water swimmer and he is keen to take you out along Jericho. You'll need a wet suit. Temperature should be 7-8 degrees. How does that sound?"

That is not the kind of email I would have expected from my gorgeous friend Cathy a year ago...and frankly it sounds mad!

However, it is now, and yesterday was the day. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and the water as still as a millpond, it sounds idyllic until you put your face in the sea.

Jamie arrived to greet us at the Vancouver Jericho Sailing club, I was already in my wetsuit raring to go (ignorance is bliss), before completing the look with thermal hats, gloves and surf boots - thanks to Cathy's begging and borrowing from Pete and Glenda (seriously, thank you both!!!)

The sea took my breath away, and it never quite came back, I lost control of my mouth after about 5 minutes because of the cold, and after swallowing sea water continuously, lost my lunch half way through. The wetsuit puts a pressure on my shoulders that is quite unpleasant, and the gloves and boots were a clumsy addition to the swimming - sounds like heaven?

So what was good about it? The sea was mostly calm, I swam for about 30 minutes, Cathy walked along the shore cheering me on, (Jamie was off like a rocket!) and a chance meeting with Isabelle another good friend on the beach gave me a chance for a quick kiss hello and a little adrenalin hit of having two wonderful inspirational girls cheering me on and just being there for me too!

Jamie, I long to swim with the vigor you had, mind over matter when your head feels like its bleeding! I will never forget this day as a fantastic chance to swim in the sea with the snow covered mountains and the Vancouver city sky line behind. Cathy and Jamie made it happen - that is VERY special.

Old friends, New friends, if we open ourselves up to it, there are plenty who are willing to help us fulfil our dreams, to be a part of something special and bigger than all of us, the human connection.

Team Spirit

No not the drink that shares the same name as our Channel team! But the sort that warms the soul from the tips of your toes and back up again, after our swim in Putney a week ago, I was joined by Bridget for an early morning Gnarly Nutters swim in marlow, followed by a very painful spinning class (bring on the gel saddle...).
Its the first class for both of us, and we were as usual treated with the culture that Pete Frosty has created in his tri club of openness, generosity, support and care, lots of smiles and laughter and a complete 'can do' attitude.
We LOVED it. It became apparent that whilst our swim team is 4 women, the extended team of supporters, coaches, friends, families and loved ones is the one that will really get us through. My best friend from vancouver Claire is flying over to be on the boat while I swim. I am welling up just thinking how special and precious that is, to fly half way round the world to see your mad friend leap into the channel - it takes true friendship that started for us as teamwork, 15 years ago, building cultural change into a fantastic organisation called Crystal.
Culture is created by people. The culture of our swim team starts with us, but is influenced by everyone around it. It's team spirit at its best and it makes me so proud.
4 Open water swims signed up for today - between 1 mile and 3.6 km - i can only do it because of the team!