Since I was little, I’ve been challenging the sea and training, but the first time I truly became aware of it wasn’t pleasant: I was under 10 years old and went to challenge the waves. With the very first wave, I managed to withstand the impact, but other children were dragged away 😔. No one learns on the first try, and following someone else can lead to a very bad outcome: it seemed ‘obvious,’ but it wasn’t 🤔. Making your own path is essential, and being surrounded by family and friends makes it even better 🤓.
“At around 10 or 11 years old, far from the sea, I started playing tennis 🎾, and my ‘natural’ enthusiasm kicked in: family and friends involved, watching tournaments, training with coaches… After a few months, ‘Rita, do you want to take part in a tournament?’ Why not? Testing your training is incredibly enriching! And having family and friends by your side makes it even better 😍 I’m pragmatic: I give my best and follow only my own path 🌞. And just like that, swimming was gone!
In my teenage years, I received invitations and practiced other sports, but my brother led me astray into Windsurfing. I asked my parents for lessons and off I went, starting from zero again 💪. Along the way, I met people from many different professions and of all ages, from ‘8 to 80’: what amazing human richness 🤓! They were incredible years too, now back at the sea 🌊⛵🐟⚓.
Life changes and having less time available led me to switch activities, and I started from ‘zero’ again. I highlight dance: it was only a few years, but intense ones 😊, and it also brought lifelong friends 🫂. One of them is connected to swimming 🏊. But I returned to tennis with great intensity: I had to relearn everything and learn many new things. And there, too, friendships were (re)born that brighten my life 🌞. I postponed swimming, which was already on my mind 💭🤷, but I was already recovering from physical wear and tear in the pool.
I turned a life event into the opportunity to start swimming lessons 🥳. Life is different now — I’m more measured and more pragmatic. In a world full of noise ⚡, I choose my path carefully 📚. While watching a friend’s Open Water race, I saw the sea and felt the friendships and a unique atmosphere. The result: I added an Open Water class on top of regular swimming 🫣🤣.
“I only know that I know nothing, but I do know that sport opens doors to meeting people who brighten our lives 💰🌞. It offers unique opportunities for learning and personal growth, with invisible podiums that mark our lives 🥇🌞. Water, in particular, brings both challenge and serenity — two beautiful and complementary opposites. So, shall we swim? 😎☀️🙌
Ana Rita Rodrigues