I've been a competitive pool swimmer since I was 6

I've been a competitive pool swimmer since I was 6 and so I've been training at least 2 or 3 times a week for 50 years now! When I moved here from the UK in 2003 I'd never done an open water race before -nobody in their right mind swims for fun in the sea

I've been a competitive pool swimmer since I was 6 and so I've been training at least 2 or 3 times a week for 50 years now! When I moved here from the UK in 2003 I'd never done an open water race before -nobody in their right mind swims for fun in the sea in England! Last year I tried an open water race for the first time and, wow, did I learn some lessons! In the pool you've only got your stroke to concentrate on. In an open water swim you have the tide, the wind, the waves and 100's of other people to think about. It's a completely different sport and to a novice like me it sometimes feel like a mixture between surfing and boxing. I started with the Tuesday night Beach series off Takapuna beach and towards the end of the season I entered the Rangitoto swim and the King of the Bays event. I've grown to love the sport and so this year I'm doing this series too. Thanks New Zealand for introducing me to a wonderful new experience.