Open Water Swimming
For those not addicted to coffee and consume caffeine on an irregular basis, you may know the "jolt" that it provides. For coffee drinkers used to a regular pick-me-up, imagine having the effect of 10-cups of coffee, but not feeling the jitters, just a clean, long-lasting feeling of being alive and awake.
One of my favorite words in the English language is: "invigorate"
It means "to fill one with life". This is the best way for me to describe the effects of open water swimming and cold water swimming.
I've enjoyed cold water swimming as a way of staying healthy during prolonged times on small cruise ships in Alaska and week-long voyages along the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
I've also been fortunate to live and have property adjacent to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a calm body of water (for the most part) and definitely invigorating!
If you'd like to read about one of my adventure swimming projects that took place in Olympic National Park, please read more here.