722 days of cold water ducks with Jasmine

Jasmine floating on her back in the Ocean

Two years ago on the 1st of October 2021, I started my very first Ducktober challenge to support Waves of Wellness Foundation and….  WOW, what a journey it has been!!  

At 722 days in the water, I am very close to reaching my two-year swim streak – with no days off. 

It is crazy to think that for two whole years, I have been getting in the water and that this year will be my third challenge in a row. 

Prior to the 2021 challenge, I was more of a beach walker.  I would enjoy the beach and the healing benefits of the ocean from the shore.  

Little did I know that getting in the water every day was going to change my life in so many ways. 

I committed to the challenge to improve my own mental health but I liked the fact that I would be supporting Waves of Wellness and giving other people the opportunity to improve their mental health through free surf therapy programs. As a result, I started to talk about my own mental health experiences, and this opened so many conversations with others who had been through or were going through similar struggles.  I wanted to share my experience and give hope to others, that no matter how dark things get, it will get better – and it did for me. 

When I started my challenge, I had to make the extra effort to commit to my daily swims regardless of the conditions (internal and external).  There were floods, rain, hail, winter, cyclones – all kinds of conditions but by the time the challenge ended, I was hooked on a feeling. The feeling of being in the ocean is like no other.  I felt awake and energised, yet calmer, clearer, and present

This has become my daily ritual, the one thing that I do for myself and my mental health.  I wake up, I swim – and I know that I’m going to feel better for it. 

There are still days where I don’t want to get up and I struggle to get in the water – one example being this morning (day 722).  It was windy, raining and cold.  I felt tired and a bit drained.  It was hard to get into the cold water but after I did, I came out a whole different (happier) person.  

I have never, in 722 days, regretted an ocean swim, even when conditions haven’t been ideal. 

There are so many wonderful achievements in my life that I attribute back to first participating in Ducktober.

I have created a morning routine that sets me up for the day and helps with my mental health and mindset. 

I have overcome many mental challenges and changed my inner dialogue from critic to coach.

I have opened up and shared my experience with mental health, creating a safe space for others to do the same. 

I have participated in the Waves of Wellness program, which truly is a life-changing program. I now volunteer as a surf mentor in the Waves of Wellness programs.

I have been inspired to start free community events that include mindfulness, meditation, sound healing, movement, a swim and coffee.  I have made some great friendships along the way and the list continues.

I am so proud of myself for this achievement and cannot imagine a day now, without a swim.

If you are struggling, please reach out for help and know that you are not alone. Remember that life is like riding the waves.  Ups and downs.  Periods of calm, periods of swell. 

Be kind to yourself, be kind to others – you never know what someone is going through. 

…and get yourself in the water!