Overcoming Fear
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a debilitating fear of swimming in the ocean. Not a fear of swimming itself—many many laps of the Mudgee Pool growing up has this covered—it's the ocean and it's unknown that scares me . I haven't been able to go in the open water much past my knees, and certainly not where my feet couldn’t touch the bottom. A fear I think fostered out of love by my beautiful mum who couldn’t swim, and may have decided the best way to keep a country kid safe during beach holidays was to instil a deep fear of the unseen and unknown of the ocean. Now, 55 years later, that imprint remains.
For years, I’ve wanted to overcome this fear, enjoy our beautiful beaches, swim with my kids, and recently, I decided to take a bold step. I signed up for a CanToo Ocean Swim with two goals in mind: to raise funds for cancer research, a cause close to my heart after feeling its impact on friends and family, and to challenge myself to confront my fear of the ocean.
I had the option of a 1km or 2km swim, and though it was daunting, I decided to go all in with the 2km. The first few training sessions were utterly terrifying. On my first day, I arrived an hour early (big mistake), nervously watching other swimmers in an attempt to calm my racing mind and heart. Adrenalin and thoughts of sharks flooded my senses. Once in the water, every time seaweed brushed against me, my heart would pound, and my stroke would speed up in panic. But with the incredible support of the CanToo team - I made it through that first swim.
Now, six weeks on, I’ve made remarkable progress. Today, for the first time, I approached the water with trepidation rather than fear. The ocean has begun to reveal its rewards—beautiful sea life, including fish and turtles, though thankfully so far not the creatures I fear most ! Along the way, I’ve experienced the exhilarating feeling of achievement, improved my fitness, and discovered a welcoming and supportive community of ocean swimmers.
It’s even possible that I might become hooked on this sport.....tho I'm not thinking of asking Santa for a wetsuit just yet...
I'm supporting cancer research and prevention with Can Too Foundation.
1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. This means that potentially someone we love may have to battle cancer, and that's a statistic that needs to change.
So I asked myself, "what can I do to help?" That's where the Can Too Foundation came in! Can Too provides professionally coached training programs for participants of any fitness level to run, swim and cycle their way to a healthier lifestyle and a cancer-free world.
In return, I am raising valuable funds that go towards innovation in the prevention, care, and control of cancer. Since 2005, Can Too Foundation has trained over 22,000 participants and raised over $30,000,000 to invest in over 150 cancer research grants.
It would be fantastic if you could sponsor me, or even better join me in a program!
Thank you for your support!
Thank you to my Sponsors
$200
James Sutherland
$150
Ange Teulon
So in awe of you our friend. Well done very proud 😍
$100
Francina Turner
What can’t you do??!
$100
Vin
What are your legs?
$100
Brown
Good luck
$100
Amber Matthews
Go Lou! I am so impressed with you facing your fear and doing this swim. Good luck and try to enjoy it. x
$100
Gabriella
Wow! One stroke at a time you delivered right to the finish line! To the moon and back and beyond... there is nothing you can't do.... Its wonderful... many hugs xx
$100
Jimmy Milton
Great effort Louise, you’ll make it look easy
$100
Susan Frater
Enjoy some salt water for me and well done
$100
Anonymous
$100
Suzanne Murray-prior
You are an inspiration to me and so many others!!
$100
Kate O'connell
$100
Karen Murray
Swim fast so the big fish don't make you dinner you legend 🤗❤️xxx
$80
Natalie Bradshaw
You’re amazing!!! Go Lou!!! 💪🏽🏊♀️
$75
Vivienne Robins
Proud of you Louise for facing your fear!
$50
B N M S M
Go Girl
$50
Nhung Nguyen
You are amazing, Lou
$50
Linda Veloskey
Good on you!
$50
Rae Norman
Avoid the dumpers! Very proud of you! X
$50
Ilona Johnson
Inspiring!!
$50
Caroline Purtell
You’ve got this Lou - go get em! X
$50
Keeping Family
Great effort Lou - we will be cheering you from a far
$50
Felicity Jay
Go Louise! Fantastic achievement in doing an ocean swim. Well done!
$50
Jenny Chamberlain
Inspirational effort Lou!! Aim to leave that wingman in your wake soon too!
$50
Di Rochford
Way to go Lush! All the best with it, you got this! X
$30
Stephen Dantier
Just swim faster than the sharks
$25
Sue Griffiths
Good luck Louise!
$20
Majelle Knox
Lou you are amazing Another challenge under the belt
$20
Kari Arnison
Wishing you all the best for the race Lou!
I can swim, but way more important than all my laps, is you faced your fears & are conquering it, & you will smash it! Looking forward to more swims with you…