An Ocean Swim Story

My partner and her brother finished within seconds of each other. I am so proud of them

I registered because I and my partner were here from UK visiting her brother in Auckland and he was keen that we did the swim. It was my first time in a wet suit for 40 years. Technology has moved on. I had trouble with the buoyancy of the suit. I had not had a good morning, having forgotten my ferry pass and had to run back to the hotel to fetch it. I also had the wrong swim hat and had to find an approved one. Having started the swim, I struggled to keep up with my wave, and once I rounded the buoy at the edge of the marina, it was a bit more choppy. Every time I turned on my side or back I was dizzy. Whether it was anxiety or my propensity for sea sickness, I was so ill I started to be sea sick. A steward kept tabs on me and continued to ask if I needed help until it was clear I could not continue and had to be fished out. There are no results for the fullest sick bucket posted but I reckon on a litre or two once I was on the rescue boat. From then on my main worry was my partner worrying where I was. However I subsequently learned that those who were fished out were identified and immediately notified. I was not the first to be rescued but others came aboard as the swim progressed. I was able to observe safety operations from the rescue boat and it was fantastic, and they kept a good eye on all the remaining swimmers right to the end. We were last to enter the finishing point and the rescuers rightly received a good cheer. They were supportive and good humoured. I cannot thank them enough. My partner and her brother finished within seconds of each other. I am so proud of them