Being married to an open water swimmer is something that mixes admiration, pride, and — I must admit — a touch of madness, in the best possible way.
It takes a great deal of courage and determination to face the sea, the cold, the currents, and the unknown. Not many have the bravery to venture into open waters, relying solely on their own body and the knowledge gained through so much training and dedication.
It’s knowing that her most expensive outfit isn’t an evening gown, but a swimsuit. It’s understanding that when the alarm goes off at 6 a.m., it’s not for catching a flight or heading to an important meeting — it’s because she’s there, packing three bags: one for the race, one for the gear, and one for the “just in case.” The sun hasn’t even risen yet, but she’s already ready for another dive.
It’s knowing that when she comes back, it feels like half the beach came along — sand, salt water, and that ocean scent that lingers in the house all day. It’s understanding that when summer approaches, it doesn’t mean rest, but rather a new season of races, trips, and entire weekends devoted to swimming.
It’s realizing that her Instagram feed and reels fill up with posts about swimming, techniques, training, and achievements — and that, suddenly, you also know what an open water race is, what a “side current” means, and why the east wind isn’t exactly a friend.
But above all, it’s pride. Pride in the strength, discipline, and courage that only those who live close to the sport can truly understand. Because being beside an athlete means seeing up close how hard it is to overcome one’s own fears, to enter waters that aren’t our natural habitat, to swim alongside creatures we’d rather not even imagine — and still keep moving forward.
Challenge after challang, there are goals achieved, objectives surpassed, and, many times, another medal coming back home. But the most important thing is not the podium, nor the time — it is seeing the smile on the face and the sparkle in the eyes of those who did what they love. It is feeling the of those who fulfill what they set out to do, and seeing how this contagiously spreads throughout the whole house
Being the husband of an open water swimmer is this: learning from her that determination, courage, and passion have no time or place — and that, rain or shine, she will always be there, ready to dive in once again.
Gustavo (Marido da Mayra)