Morgan McArthur, DVM for Vetscript

2 June 05

What could be colder than a swim across Cook Strait?

This is a story about thrills and chills in the dark, deep waters south of Wellington. It is about a big goal. And a plan to accomplish it. And commitment to get there. And training, training, training (more than you can imagine). And one of the most critical aspects of achievement at any level: The importance of positive support.

My good friend’s partner Corry is a swimmer. She has done many things in life and has several university degrees, but she describes herself to others as a swimmer. A few years ago she set a goal of one day swimming across Cook Strait. Big goal, eh?

Question One: What would your friends/family/colleagues say if you said you were going to do something like that?

Answer: Any time we undertake something challenging, make positive change, or set lofty goals it is important to surround ourselves with people who believe in us and will help keep us aloft when we feel too heavy to fly. It is not unusual for those close to us to be threatened by our desire to change or to achieve and they may discourage or even sabotage our attempts.

The Cook Strait goal is the pointy end of a long and strong history of athletic achievements for Corry. She has completed several Ironman triathlons and many long distance swims including swimming the length of Lake Taupo (40km, sans wetsuit), as well as 12- and 24-hour pool swims. So to hear her say she’d like to swim from the North Island to the South Island wasn’t exactly a shocker. Still, it’s a big goal. One that requires commitment big time and a big time commitment.

Imagine workouts that require you to swim five continuous hours in the pool. Then imagine how you’re going to do that several times a week for a couple of months and still work and take care of your 1 year old daughter. Easy? Not without lots of support.

Question Two: How do you make your path to your goal as clear as possible?

Answer: Once you have committed to your goal, have ‘gone public’ with it and are pursuing it enthusiastically you may be surprised at how easy it is to find support in times of challenge. Others will not only be interested in it, but they will be inspired by your drive to achieve. When you need help along your path, don’t be afraid to ask for it.

Corry was lucky enough to have a very good team of people supporting her along the way. There was her long time swim coach from Hamilton, Paul Kane, of whom she says ‘He has made me the swimmer that I am.’ In the water he knows her better than anybody else. She was further mentored by a man whose own swimming exploits are legendary. He is Wellington-based and has done open-water swims all over the world, including a triple crossing of the English Channel. Phillip Rush is the ‘pilot’ for all attempts at swimming Cook Strait and he has seen every colour of success and failure in those waters. And there was her partner Walter looking after their daughter for hours on end wondering when he could get his own training done.

There is never only one person helping you achieve. It always comes down to a network of people you draw from. They all have levels of input and without them a big goal is almost impossible.

To say that a Cook Strait swim is difficult doesn’t do it justice. There are many unknowns. On the day the combination of tidal and weather patterns can easily turn a 30 km swim into a 40 km swim. Crossings have been interrupted by shark sightings. And tropical waters these ain’t. To be official the swimmer cannot wear a wetsuit.

Question Three: What is the best way to control the demons that appear as you chase your dream?

Answer: A coach/mentor who is experienced, knowledgeable and communicative can help us when the demons of doubt appear. These gremlins manifest in all of us occasionally. A trusted mentor can not only help you deal to the bogeyman but they will also help you realise that your potential is much larger than what you can see with your own eye. Their objective observations can balance the often-loud opinions of our ‘inner critic.’

A Cook Strait crossing doesn’t just happen when the swimmer is ready. The winds must be settled, the tides have to be right. Water temperature is a factor. It’s a big deal. And in some years conditions may only come right in the Strait for but one or two attempts.

Corry got to Wellington on a Wednesday in March, hoping to go across on the next day, but couldn’t. Too much southerly wind. On Friday? Same. Saturday? Ditto. The tension was building. By Tuesday the tides would be wrong and it would be off for several more weeks. Sunday was bad, too. However, late Sunday there seemed to be a gap in the weather. Corry and her support team met on Sunday night and decided to give it a go. And the process began at 2:00 am on Monday morning.

The waters of Wellington Harbour were dark as they motored out to the bottom of the North Island. At 5:30 in the morning Corry slipped into the water and began her swim. Water temperature: 15 degrees. Air temperature: 13 degrees. One week of southerlies had dropped both water and air temperatures by several degrees.

Stroke by stroke the South Island drew closer. However, minute by minute she was giving precious body heat to the deep water of the Cook Strait. The race was on. An hour passed. Then two. Corry’s strength of mind and muscle was no match for the frigid waters, and by two and a half hours the muscles of her forearms were cramping and her hands clenched like claws. She was shivering uncontrollably and wasn’t yet a third of the way across.

Game over.

It was disappointing but not difficult to call off Corry’s crossing at that point. Her core temperature had dropped from the initial 37 to 32 degrees and it was no longer safe to continue.

Question Four: Is it best to dance with disappointment all by yourself?

Answer: Once you’ve gone public with your goal and have surrounded yourself with support those same people will still be with you if somehow you get dealt a ‘learning opportunity’ instead of a lofty accomplishment. Even if things do not go as we want or expect them to go, there is a lesson to be learned. And we can help ourselves and our supporters when we adopt that attitude. Some see failure as not succeeding. I disagree. I see failure as not having a go.

Corry’s story is a big one. Very few of us will ever prepare for and attempt to swim Cook Strait. But Corry’s need for support is no different than anyone else’s. Whatever challenges we face, they will always be made easier and more gratifying if we can rally support around us.

Moving forward in life is easier when positive people surround us. If your team includes some doubters or naysayers, you may have to make some social changes to achieve your potential. Telling people about our goals and pursuing them enthusiastically can create enthusiasm and inspiration in those who watch us chase our dreams. A mentor can help us see the difference between demons and delight. And an attitude that there is a lesson in every outcome will always serve us in a positive way.

So, what could be colder than a swim across Cook Strait? A swim across Cook Strait alone. Give yourself the benefit of buoyant support – team up with positive people and a matching outlook and then dive into your Big Goals.

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