My greatest swims in oceans were: the island of La Digue in the Seychelles (felt like I was swimming in heaven, the surrounding beauty and crystal-clear water was so intense. The other swims I love are/is the La Jolla Cove in the US (San Diego), and Butterfly Beach in Montecito, CA, two more too beautiful places to describe.
Last by not least, I great up in Western PA. This pool recently close, but they used the mountain water and some other methods I never did fully understand, to create the. best. heat. relief. for a humid PA summer day in a GIANT pool. Sadly it is now closed, but here's an old photo.
I remember seeing a woman dip when it was 35 degrees out in Copenhagen and I thought “there’s no way!” But reading this is inspiring me to look at the concept anew. Also, it seems a cold dip in the ocean versus a cold plunge tub carry very different connotations—the ocean feels so much purer.
My parents’ coastal town where they reside does a new year’s ocean dip which I’ve thought sounded intriguing... a ways away but maybe this is the year!
Interesting insights. It reminds me of how I felt every time I went on a solo practice flight when I was trying to get my pilot's license. Take offs and landings are the hardest, but once in the air, all of my distractions, worries and anxieties slipped away as I just focused on my instruments and enjoyed the great expansive sky before me.
Wow Molly! I have to admit flying a plane scares me terribly. When I fly as a passenger I have all kinds of rituals I do to soothe myself. This last flight I was on my worst fear (hitting another plane) was threatened! I saw another plane pretty close to us from the window! 🤯
I can see as a pilot how you have to focus while under stress and your adrenaline kicks in!
Love this Brenna, your writing about how water transforms you so resonates. The duality of being meditative and physically exerting at the same time and how that brings an equilibrium to both our physical and mental states!
I haven’t seen it or heard of it! I’ll add to my list! Although I am so sensitive I can’t watch anything about sharks or danger in the ocean otherwise I can’t “unsee” it 😂
What a lovely, lyrical post, Brenna. While reading it, I was thinking about my husband, who also has a passion for the sea. For him, it is kayaking, stand up paddling and kite surfing, as well as walking at the edge of the sea and occasionally cold swimming. He--like you--feels a deep spiritual connection to the sea and to the nature he experiences while moving through its depths. This is why we moved to the western shores of Ireland. (It was lovely to see you highlight your wild swimming experience here on the Dingle Peninsula!)
Brenna, you're a gifted writer. I loved reading this post as I felt an even special connection to it. I absolutely LOVE swimming. But I also fear the deep ocean. And the power of water to give you peace or fuck you over haha! Love the photos from all the dips you've taken all over the world - makes me want to pull out my photos and title them too! 🧡
Yeah the ocean has reminded me of its power a few times. Especially when I’ve tried surfing 😂 I got a bit spooked after a bad crash with a paddle board too. I keeping trying, I’m not giving up!
This is so inspiring. I have yet to do an ancestral swim but I did swim in Greece when I was 13. I've been doing cold plunges for almost a month and it's been giving me more appreciation for the sacred nature of water and the huge relief it brings from anxiety and the heat. Please post about the water retreat when you go because it looks amazing!
My greatest swims in oceans were: the island of La Digue in the Seychelles (felt like I was swimming in heaven, the surrounding beauty and crystal-clear water was so intense. The other swims I love are/is the La Jolla Cove in the US (San Diego), and Butterfly Beach in Montecito, CA, two more too beautiful places to describe.
Last by not least, I great up in Western PA. This pool recently close, but they used the mountain water and some other methods I never did fully understand, to create the. best. heat. relief. for a humid PA summer day in a GIANT pool. Sadly it is now closed, but here's an old photo.
https://www.thirdstopontheright.com/ligonier-beach-pool/
Swim on, be safe!
This is a beautiful piece, Brenna!
I remember seeing a woman dip when it was 35 degrees out in Copenhagen and I thought “there’s no way!” But reading this is inspiring me to look at the concept anew. Also, it seems a cold dip in the ocean versus a cold plunge tub carry very different connotations—the ocean feels so much purer.
My parents’ coastal town where they reside does a new year’s ocean dip which I’ve thought sounded intriguing... a ways away but maybe this is the year!
Yeah trash buckets of ice are way less appealing to me 😂 I don’t even take cold showers. I just like being outside and swimming.
I think your brain will surprise you! Go with a friend and bring some tea and warm clothes for afterwards! You’ll love it 🥰
Legit just put it on my cal 😉
https://www.oregonlive.com/living/2023/01/manzanita-polar-plunge-draws-hundreds-into-frigid-pacific.html
Oh my gosh! Look how big everyone is smiling in these photos! Love it! 😍
Right?!! That alone sold me.
Interesting insights. It reminds me of how I felt every time I went on a solo practice flight when I was trying to get my pilot's license. Take offs and landings are the hardest, but once in the air, all of my distractions, worries and anxieties slipped away as I just focused on my instruments and enjoyed the great expansive sky before me.
Wow Molly! I have to admit flying a plane scares me terribly. When I fly as a passenger I have all kinds of rituals I do to soothe myself. This last flight I was on my worst fear (hitting another plane) was threatened! I saw another plane pretty close to us from the window! 🤯
I can see as a pilot how you have to focus while under stress and your adrenaline kicks in!
After living in FL for 3+years, anything colder than 80 is frigid! lol. Good for you in persisting! Marie Van Buren
Marie aren’t you going on a sailing adventure?? You’re gonna have to get in that water girl! Mind over matter 💆🏻♀️
Love this Brenna, your writing about how water transforms you so resonates. The duality of being meditative and physically exerting at the same time and how that brings an equilibrium to both our physical and mental states!
Ohh I love the way you put that
Your post brought to mind The Big Blue, one of my favorite films.
I haven’t seen it or heard of it! I’ll add to my list! Although I am so sensitive I can’t watch anything about sharks or danger in the ocean otherwise I can’t “unsee” it 😂
What a lovely, lyrical post, Brenna. While reading it, I was thinking about my husband, who also has a passion for the sea. For him, it is kayaking, stand up paddling and kite surfing, as well as walking at the edge of the sea and occasionally cold swimming. He--like you--feels a deep spiritual connection to the sea and to the nature he experiences while moving through its depths. This is why we moved to the western shores of Ireland. (It was lovely to see you highlight your wild swimming experience here on the Dingle Peninsula!)
Kicking myself that I didn’t figure out a meetup while we were there! I think we all would have gotten along so well with our similar interests.
Hopefully you will return again soon!
I have become a wimp! I have no desire to freeze my parts off! 😂
Brenna, you're a gifted writer. I loved reading this post as I felt an even special connection to it. I absolutely LOVE swimming. But I also fear the deep ocean. And the power of water to give you peace or fuck you over haha! Love the photos from all the dips you've taken all over the world - makes me want to pull out my photos and title them too! 🧡
Yeah the ocean has reminded me of its power a few times. Especially when I’ve tried surfing 😂 I got a bit spooked after a bad crash with a paddle board too. I keeping trying, I’m not giving up!
This is so inspiring. I have yet to do an ancestral swim but I did swim in Greece when I was 13. I've been doing cold plunges for almost a month and it's been giving me more appreciation for the sacred nature of water and the huge relief it brings from anxiety and the heat. Please post about the water retreat when you go because it looks amazing!