Taking the Plunge

Ok ok, I'll post it on blog - I neeeeeed to swim.  Tomorrow.  Well, tomorrow is preferable.  You see, it's winter here, and unless the sun is shining oh so bright, I likely won't be brave enough to take the plunge.  yet.

I almost did yesterday.

Togs.  Silver Fern/All Blacks style.
A NZ keepsake, I hope! 

I put on my swimsuit - or togs if we want to be kiwi correct.  Then I put on some clothes (layers - like wool shirt/fleece jacket/fleece lined leggings) on top of the togs.  Grabbed my goggles and swim cap.  Took a bag without valuables.  Added a pair of gloves and a hat to the bag.  Hopped on one of the hostel's bikes.  And I was off to the sea.  With every intention to swim.

The day was lovely.  Sunny and just a smidge of a breeze in the morning.  I was inspired.

"Today I will swim," I exclaimed in my head earlier in the day.



The attempt and intention were there.

I did make it to the beach in Paihia that seemed most swim friendly.  And I stuck my feet in the water.  Yeah feet.  That means both of them.  Though the sun was still out, the water was not warm.  And I had to deal with a headwind on my way there.  Headwind = wind...versus a smidge of a breeze.

It was too late.  I missed my chance.  By the time I made it to the sea, the wind was too strong and the air temperature had dropped.  I didn't feel like getting stuck in the sea all by myself.  No thank you, hypothermia.

But I have done some research.  While the water temperature is a chilly 16*C, it's by no means wetsuit necessary, apparently.  It's more about taking that first plunge and get moving straight away!  A refreshing style cold.  And I'll just need to make sure I don't venture too far from shoreline, just in case I need to make a speedy escape to a warm cup of coffee and my layers of clothes.

But if I can actually make it to the beach midday, I think that's my best bet.  The sun was actually quite warm around noon.

I'm hopeful tomorrow will be the day.  If not tomorrow then I have to wait til Tuesday :(   due to work hours also being daylight hours.

Despite the cold, I really am ready to take the plunge!