adapted from Jen Stokes account of her 10K swim at the 2018 Barbados Open Water Festival
Jen (right) being congratulated by a friend after her 10K finish I signed up for the 1.5K and 10K at the Barbados Open Water Festival in 2018. After my failed 10K attempt this past summer, I really wanted to give it another go. By the end of the week at the Freestyle Experience camp in Barbados, I felt ready physically, but mentally, quite unsure. A friend said: think of the swim as 4 hours in the open water, and the privilege of spending that much time in the water. I’m slow, my technique needs a lot of TLC. I was feeling very unsure.
"I was nervous I wouldn’t make the 10 km in the time allotment of 4 hours but after meeting the other swimmers and openly sharing those fears I felt much more relaxed. It was less about finishing the 10 K, and more about enjoying the open water."
Despite all the above, those little doubt gremlins were present in the first 2 km. I focused hard, yet still struggled to connect it all.
My coach, Katie, came upon me at one point and dolphin tailed a hello of encouragement, volunteers on paddleboards and boats shouted and the feeding boat peeps entertained with smiles and quick conversations. My #1 fan Elaine trailed the beach waving and shouting. Other swimmers passed by with way to go’s and check-ins. I was even able to hear Cameron Bellamy’s send off as he started his 96K swim around the island. I studied the ocean floor. I enjoyed the starfish, sea urchins, fish, turtles and stingrays. I envisioned the future while I enjoyed the present in the warm ocean water.
"I was nervous I wouldn’t make the 10 km in the time allotment of 4 hours but after meeting the other swimmers and openly sharing those fears I felt much more relaxed. It was less about finishing the 10 K, and more about enjoying the open water."
Despite all the above, those little doubt gremlins were present in the first 2 km. I focused hard, yet still struggled to connect it all.
My coach, Katie, came upon me at one point and dolphin tailed a hello of encouragement, volunteers on paddleboards and boats shouted and the feeding boat peeps entertained with smiles and quick conversations. My #1 fan Elaine trailed the beach waving and shouting. Other swimmers passed by with way to go’s and check-ins. I was even able to hear Cameron Bellamy’s send off as he started his 96K swim around the island. I studied the ocean floor. I enjoyed the starfish, sea urchins, fish, turtles and stingrays. I envisioned the future while I enjoyed the present in the warm ocean water.
4.5 laps into the six-lap race I asked Darren, a supporting kayaker for the time. Knowing I had to be close to 4 hours. It was 10:55am, the race started at 7am. I asked him if I could finish this lap or did I have to exit? He said go ahead and finish the lap. As I approached the last buoy before the exit I knew I had only completed 5 and was out of time. I was content to walk gracefully out of the water. It had been wavy, raining off and off during the swim and started back up again. I was also the last person in the water. As much as I wanted to finish that last lap, I didn’t want to ask the volunteers, and race official to hold up the boating activity and day’s events for me. I respect what it takes to organize 400 plus swimmers and was more than ok with my time in the water. Katie, however in true amazing coaching style asked for me. They allowed me to finish, Katie told me if I wanted to finish I was invited to. I was thrilled and excited to hear this news! Oh, it gets better. Heather offered to pace me for the last lap. Darren offered to guide us along. The ¼ way in the last lap, the rain poured down. I embraced the struggle, smiled at Heather and sighted for Darren. I can’t explain the deep feelings of appreciation during that last lap. I didn’t know it at the time, but Heather was suffering from a migraine, imagine that and yet she paced me through. I swam with such joy, sang in my head, my heart smiled one stroke at a time as I reached the finish line. My heartfelt thanks to Barbados Open Water Swimming Festival, my coach Katie Brambley as well as all of my other swim friends who offered support.
BOWF: Well done Jen. Your story defines what the Barbados Open Water Festival is all about. We are thrilled to hear that since the Festival you have joined a Master's program in Canada and plan to swim all year! See you in November 2019 at the 8th annual Festival.
Many thanks also to our volunteer kayaker Darren Treasure (Open Water Swimmer & President of the Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes (BFIT) for going the extra mile and staying in the water until the last swimmer finished!
Barbados Open Water Festival: Nov 6-10, 2019. Entry is open online now.
BOWF: Well done Jen. Your story defines what the Barbados Open Water Festival is all about. We are thrilled to hear that since the Festival you have joined a Master's program in Canada and plan to swim all year! See you in November 2019 at the 8th annual Festival.
Many thanks also to our volunteer kayaker Darren Treasure (Open Water Swimmer & President of the Barbados Federation of Island Triathletes (BFIT) for going the extra mile and staying in the water until the last swimmer finished!
Barbados Open Water Festival: Nov 6-10, 2019. Entry is open online now.
