It was a beautiful day!
Arriving at Mollymook Beach prior to sunrise, rays of sunshine filtered through the cloudy sky. It was the beginning of ‘A Beautiful Day’ as swimmers began arriving throughout the morning at their allotted times. Laura and her mum, Monica were already down on the beach in the southern most area. Garry arrived to check, that all would go to plan. Sean and Lloyd arrived, put on their cosies and went down the beach to accompany Laura on the first 4 kms of her 20 km journey. Grant was also there with his stand up paddle board (SUP) to provide water safety. Laura felt truly blessed, rather than swimming on her own she would have company for the first 4 kms, with Roscoe joining in on their return journey. This meant so much to Laura.
At the completion of her first 4 km she saw more swimmers lining up to accompany her on the next portion of her swim that would take her distance to 8 km. Here was Greg, Mike and a Sydney swimmer, Steve in the water to accompany her with Simone on her SUP providing water safety. At the northern end of Mollymook beach turning for home she was joined by Sue and Kate as this larger group swam this 4th lap, with increasing swell and chop. At the end of 8 km and turning to begin her next 4 km return trip, Chris took the surf board to provide company and water safety for Laura. As they returned at the 12 km mark Chris was really feeling it in his shoulders.
With 8 km to go Garry jumped in the water to swim with Laura. Chris with such a big heart once again did another 4 km on the board for water safety despite his shoulders beginning to really hurt. At the 16 km mark, Garry the man with such a wonderful and humble nature couldn’t let Laura swim the last 4 km on her own, nor could Chris allow them to go without any water safety. So off they went, Garry would end up swimming 8 km non stop and Chris doing 12 kms on the board.
Arriving home at the conclusion of 20 kms, over 6 hours in the water, swimming in what turned out to be in difficult conditions, there was Lloyd and Ruth, Sue, Kaye and Monica, all present to share with Laura, in her remarkable achievement. Laura was lost for words trying to explain her gratitude for all the swimmers who turned up throughout the morning to make this such a memorable occasion for her. Although the swimmers are a motley crew in some regards, an odd assortment of people who are largely drawn together through there common love for the ocean, its time like these when you see the beautiful caring nature become so evident in many of the swim group, chipping in as best they can to help out a friend.
Laura was as over whelmed with gratitude! Thanks to all the swimmers who contributed. It was a beautiful day!
(Click on images to enlarge)
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