The Ocean Taught Me the Front Crawl

The Front Crawl

I used to love swimming lessons in school, and I’ve always considered water my main element.
While breaststroke, backstroke, and diving long distances were never a challenge for me, I just couldn’t get the hang of the front crawl.

Physically fit, not lacking in strength or endurance, the technique of the front crawl, especially the breathing pattern, remained a mystery to me.

No matter how I turned my head or how high I lifted my elbows, after 50 metres of paddling I always would be completely out of breath.

Don’t even get me started on three-stroke breathing.

How the Atlantic Waves Taught Me to Trust in My Natural Abilities

I love to think about how the waves of the sea are a metaphor for the ever-changing ebb and flow of life.

Some days, the sea is quiet and calm.
Small baby waves sway, the shimmering reflections of the sun glittering like diamonds scattered across the water.

The turquoise clarity reveals the beauty of the magical underwater world where shoals of fish weave through waving algae and smooth rocks.

Some days, the sea is an untameable, raw force, wave after wave crashing into itself.
One higher than the other.

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Last summer, we often went to the jumping pier in Ponta do Sol and jumped into the deep waters, playing with the waves.
One day, I was swimming out, mesmerised by the vastness of this infinite pool.

I did my usual routine, alternating between breaststroke and backstroke.

Like a happy fish, I twisted my body around, left and right, feeling cleansed and alive.

I added some light front strokes, first with my head above the water, then a few more with my head below the surface.

Suddenly, I found myself doing two strokes and breathing on the left side in a rhythmic pattern.
At that moment, I wasn’t even thinking about technique or paying attention to my breath.

I continued with some strokes, this time breathing on the right side.

Then three-stroke breathing.
Four-stroke breathing.

This was the moment my body mastered the front crawl.

The moment I surrendered to the joy of playing with the water, all the puzzle pieces came together. Naturally.

The Ocean taught me.
The Ocean taught me how to relax and have fun.
The Ocean reminded me of the skill that had always existed within me.

All I had to do was let go, enjoy, and be in the moment.