Nicole Swims

Sydney 2km or 2.5km Ocean Swim 2016

Thank you for your support and encouragement!

A magical day at Lake Bondi, perfect conditions for my second swim!

I FINISHED!!! A magical St Valentine's Day for my second and final swim for the Can Too program!

Officially 4.8km in the ocean logged, and countless others in the pool and beach training sessions over 12 weeks!

It's been an incredible journey, expanding my horizons, meeting wonderful new friends, being coached by some super coaches, refining the old swimming technique ( I haven't had a lesson since I was seven years old when Mum took me to Forbes Carlisle over at Top Ryde!!) and generally doing something I love- swimming!!

That was the easy part...the fundraising has been the most challenging part. A huge, heartfelt thank you to all who have donated so generously! Your support means so much to me.

If you were wanting still wanting to donate but were waiting to see if I'd make it- good news! I Did It!!!

Only a few days left, so please make that donation!

Thank you!

I NEED YOUR HELP: THERE'S STILL TIME TO DONATE!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$DONATE NOW$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

In 2 weeks, ON SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY I'll be swimming my second target event- the 2K BONDI SWIM!

PLEASE HELP ME REACH MY TARGET FUNDRAISING PLEDGE BEFORE THE LAST EVENT!

Any contribution would be very welcome, and it all adds up!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$DONATE NOW$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

WE DID IT!!!!

I FINISHED!!!

WHAT A SPECTACULAR DAY FOR A 'BIG SWIM'!!! I FINISHED!!!

Oh what a pleasure, a privelege and honour to swim with the Can Too team- you are awesome!

A big heartfelt thank you to all those that have contributed to my fundraising page and thank you for all your words of encouragement. I took them all along with me on my swim!

The day was perfect, just enough wave action and swell to test us out. The sun was shining, we were all smiling...some more nervous than others, but all bravely venturing out on an adventure that we, for the most part, knew the outcome. An exciting finish at Whale Beach where our friends and loved ones were waiting to greet us.

It's this surety, I reflected as I swam that day, that anyone facing cancer does not have. It was a truly sobering thought and reminded me what fortune good health is.

Wednesday 9 Dec - training night at Prince Alfred Park Pool

What a lovely place to train! The facilities are gorgeous, and our coaches are super wonderful.

We did our time trials this week- 1km for me, setting the benchmark for improvement of time and stamina.

Our reward was a social at the Tipple Bar afterwards- most enjoyable.

This was the storm front that we saw approaching.

We managed to get ourselves out of the pool and to the bar only to watch the crazy, wild storm close in from behind the glass.

Saturday 12 Dec - Oh what a morning - demanding surf conditions, a beach of sand in my cozzie, and an embarrassing tumble in the sand...

We braved difficult conditions to practice entering and leaving the water, trying to avoid getting crashed and dumped- sometimes less successfully than others. After a few goggle frustrations, an embarrassing dumping, a cozzie full of sand and a mild panic attack, training was over for another Saturday. On to the best part of the day, catching up with new friends at the Bondi Pavilion!

Peace and love to Wozza- never fails to bring the oranges each week!! What a legend :)

And peace and love to all at Can Too- thanks for the opportunity to learn to do and refine what I love with the wonderful coaches, mentors and surf safety people who volunteer their time each week.

Thank you!

Saturday 5 Dec - Training on a magical morning at Bondi Beach!

After two rather bleak, cold mornings with demanding surf conditions we were rewarded on the fourth Saturday with a magical Bondi morning and perfect conditions.

We were able to practice our ocean swimming skills and enjoy a good swim out into the bay.

This reminds me why I love ocean swimming. When the conditions are as good as they were today- it's a joy to be alive and swimming! :)

I'm training with Can Too for the 2/2.5km Ocean Swim!

I am training for an event with Can Too, a health promotion organisation that engages and inspires individuals and the community to achieve personal health, wellbeing and altruistic goals.

Beginners and experienced athletes alike are given professional coaching as part of a team to run or swim in endurance events- including 10km, half-marathon and marathon runs; as well as ocean swims and triathlons.

In return, I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care and control of cancer. In 2014, our Can Too community has supported 19 early career researchers through Cure Cancer Australia.

Thank you for supporting me!

‘It’s so much fun and I can’t believe I’m going to achieve this goal that I never thought possible. A great program and team support is making it possible. You Can Too!’

Thank you to my Sponsors

$100

Bongiorno Hawkins + Associates

Enjoy the Swim. Glad you the one doing it. Atleast it will nice & cool in the water. Hope you achieve you goal. Nat & Lino

$100

Prue & Wes

Congrats lovely lady! You've been amazing throughout the whole program and thoroughly deserve this! Our donation is in memory of my mum who lost her battle 6 years ago but who would've gotten such a kick out of CanToo!

$100

Linda Smith

All the best for a great swim Nicole. You are wonderful.

$100

Brian

Go Nicole!

$100

Nicole Balestro & Gianmarc, Isabella And Alessia Binskin

In loving memory of all our loved ones who have suffered, and passed away from cancer: Our father and nonno: Pietro Balestro Uncle and aunties: Angelo, Annetta Balestro and Emilia Balestro. Our step-mum and nonna: Mary Hagger Our grandfather & nonno: Prosdocimo Ferrarin and our uncle: Aldo Ferrarin Let us continue to invest hope and essential funds into treatments, cures, and ultimately preventative research so we can tell a different family story to our children's children.

$100

Gianmarc Binskin

$100

Jennifer Cheyne

Go girlfriend!!!

$50

Patty And Chris

Well done Nicole

$50

Anne Andrews

$50

Anonymous

$50

Sonia Krivacic

Congratulations! I'll join you next year!

$50

Alessia Binskin

You're awesome Mum! You inspire me- maybe I'll join you next year! Love you!!! :)

$50

Nicole Balestro

$50

S Ahern

Good luck Nicole.

$50

Judy Uther

$50

Gina D'onofrio

$50

Anonymous

Congratulations!!

$40

Gorica Dosovic

Good luck!

$30

Emma

It's so much fun training with you Nicole! You're like some sort of dolphin :) Thanks for barracking me along when I've been struggling. Good luck for the big race!!

$30

Ernesto Damiani

$30

Catherine Vaccarella

$30

Matt

Congrats, you made it!!

$30

Louise Petersen

$30

Hong Shen Xu

$20

Melanie

Congratulations! Great achievement

$20

Rory

Fucsia!!

$20

Cantoo East/ Pap Wed Night Pod Coaches' Gift

Donated on behalf of PAP Wed night coaches from gift funds raised by pod swimmers

$20

Jan O'connor

Swim!

$20

Andy

$10

Owen Zhu

All the best for your swim!