Editor in synchronised swim
Okay I’m making it official, I’m taking the plunge . . . literally.
When Graeme Guilford came into the Chronicle office and said Matamata Rotary was thinking about becoming involved in the Rotary Global Swimarathon, I was excited . . . very, very excited.
This is something I really want to be a part of.
After receiving confirmation that the swimarathon would be going ahead in Matamata on Sunday February 26 at 1am, I could have jumped off the roof into a pool (oops probably not appropriate for obvious health and safety reasons).
Not only do we as a community get the chance to be part of a world record attempt but we have the opportunity to eradicate polio off the face of the earth forever.
I reckon that’s pretty special and wouldn’t it make for a great story to tell the grandkids.
Swimming in the early hours of the morning may not be everyone’s cup of tea but I’ve been known to take a few twilight dips and think it’s very cool that we will be swimming at the same time as others around the world.
My arms haven’t nearly fallen off because of all the training I’ve been doing in the lead up to this event but I’ve done a fair bit of swimming in the last few weeks.
Because I’m often referred to as a water rat, my offspring are the same so once they’re in the water you can’t get them out.
What this means is that we spend a lot of time at pools, the beach, lakes and rivers.
Swimming, surfing,
diving, doing bombs, jumping off into water . . . I love it all.
However, I’m not 14 years old any more and my lungs and body just don’t function the way they used to.
And you know what, I don’t care if it nearly kills me, to be part of something as big as this is really important to me.
I want to raise $1000 and I am confident that I will.
I have already roped a number of my family members and friends into sponsoring me but I would welcome any support any of our community members want to give me.
I would also like to encourage anyone to give swimming a go and sign up to be part of this event.
One hundred metres may seem like a long way but just think of the difference you’ll be making.
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