Gerrit Doppenberg summarises his experience at the Splash ’n’ Dash fundraising event on Friday night.
On Friday night at the Gore Aquatic Centre there was a splash, a dash, and Hato Hone St John walked away with a bit of pocket money for their troubles.
You could not ask for more, really.
I mean, I could have asked for the win, but we cannot have everything can we?
When the challenge first came about, birthed from a friendly bit of banter which ballooned into being an actual event, I was honestly horrified at the idea of swimming again.
I had no level of fitness whatsoever, a decent amount of my caloric intake was lollies.
I huffed and puffed through my first swimming session, finishing early as both my calves gave out and I dragged myself out of the pool, humbled and portly.
Luckily, Meagan McCabe is a very good swimming coach and under her guidance swimming became less of a chore and more of a highlight of my day whenever I went to training.
The swim team experience is quite fun as you chat away in-between lengths, everyone is really there to help and encourage each other.
The pool staff were very accommodating of my delusional bravado.
I honestly thought I would abandon swimming as soon as the race was over, but swimming is just very fulfilling and additive towards my every day life.
Swimming is easy on the body and relaxing to the mind.
Though training is difficult, it mellows the other hours of the day.
Everyone who came out to watch or compete should be celebrated.
I am very glad we were able to have such a fun time for a good cause.
Also, as thanks for giving a sprint race a go, I will be joining Mayor Ben Bell on a long distance race sometime in the future so he can finally accomplish his goal of beating me in an athletic pursuit.
