Chasing your dream.



Active Blu Training Day.

Since arriving in Perth I have been surrounded by a core of very committed Open Water Swimmers and Triathletes, training in the pools, ocean and rivers. Swimming in Australia is a way of life and you find very few people that do not hold a passion for the sport.

One of the largest swim events held in Western Australia is the Rottnest Channel Swim, this is a 20km swim from Cottoesloe Beach and finishes in Thompson Bay, Rottnest Island. This event can be taken part in as a team, duo or solo, but which ever you decide to do takes commitment, training and courage.


Cottesloe Beach - The Start of the Rottnest Swim.

Swimming in some of the most Shark infested waters in Australia, the event crosses the channel where these big fish are most prevalent. The depth of the channel only reaches a little over 20 meters and due to the waters remaining warm, it also attracts all sorts of interesting marine life.

The motivations behind why people partake in such an event are vast, few are out to win, determined to beat the rest of the field, while others are driven by the challenge and want to just make it across the divide of water.

What ever the driving force, each and every individual shows amazing dedication to training. Swimmers are up at all times putting in the hours, maybe a 10km river swim before work, or a technique session with the squad after dropping the kids at school. These guys are inspirational, making time for their passion around their normal day to day life.

Now although the swim itself is of interest to me, my real curiosity lies in the reasons behind why some people choose to swim the event and others don't. There are the obvious answers to this question, such as: 'Can not swim', 'injury', 'Scared of the sharks', but if all things are equal, what makes one person say yes to such a challenge while the other decline.

Now this is true of everything in life, you probably know people that always take the new challenge and say yes to every new experience or opportunity. Maybe you are that person or maybe you wish you could have the courage to 'step up' next time. So ask your self what is holding you back, be honest.

If  in the answer the word 'fear' appears (or similar) welcome to what holds back most of our population. Often we are stifled or hampered by fear, whether it is the fear of not achieving your goal and dream or in fact the complete opposite, the fear of achieving and being successful in your ambitions.

It all comes down to risk taking, are we prepared to move out of our comfort zones and take that risk? When what we know is comfortable, reliable and secure why would we chance taking on the unknown, for insecurity, possible embarrassment and apprehension. But what if it all leads to success and by making that decision, you improve your life, you become happier, your self worth increases, along with your pride and sense of accomplishment. Is that then worth it?

Mandurah 70.3 2012

So ask yourself what you would like to do this year, set a target, challenge or think about your dream. Now consider all the ways you can achieve this, not all the reasons you can't. Then think about the support, advice and training you may need and go find the people who will encourage, support and help you through this process.



Now voice your dream, make the commitment and revel in the success of taking that first step. Good luck, I would be really interested in hearing any plans.



"If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got"

(Tony, Robbins)