COASTING ALONG with Libby Greig CREATORS AND MAKERS

Even if the last time you swam a lap was at the school swimming carnival in the last century, or getting your Bronze Medallion for Lifesaving, I have news for you. Swimming is back!

You may not be in that cute bikini, slathered in coconut oil — as you may have been then — but you can grab your very sensible one-piece cossie and cover yourself in factor-50 sunscreen. And don’t forget that very large cover-all beach towel. After years of jogging, gym memberships and aerobic classes I suddenly discovered that swimming is a simple way of keeping fit and making new friends. I recommend your local pool. Better still is an ocean pool, if you’re fortunate enough to be near one. You can swim in all weathers and if you can find a pool with a café nearby, what could be more perfect. Would I do this on my own? Absolutely not! I am far too lazy to leap out of bed and do something quite so wholesome.

So, how did it all happen? In one word: JACKY. Jacky, who has swum in the freezing waters of New Zealand and South Africa and, only a week or two ago, in the shark-infested waters of the Barrier Reef (apparently, being followed by a tiger shark improves your swimming times enormously). Her enthusiasm is highly infectious, as are the number of texts designed to get you out of bed and into the pool.

Sometimes it’s only the warm glow of self-righteousness that keeps one glowing and going. But it helps if, like me, you have a firm layer of blubber. Some of our group are very slim and find the water can freeze them to the core. Poor dears!

I’ve fallen under the spell of our local rock pool and now, two or

three times a week, I meet with a group of like-minded men and women for a swim. This is followed by coffee and talk: the usual stuff, family, books and films. Fires and politicians have recently been added to the list. Swimming all year round gives us the opportunity of having the pool to ourselves when it gets colder. I must say that in the winter months a wetsuit really helps ... although I’m now on my way to becoming a duck.

I don my blue and black wetsuit (ahh, the joy of rubber! I now understand why it’s a fetish, so perfect for keeping warm). Add the orange flippers, perhaps unfortunately helping the illusion of webbed feet; pop on a blue cap and goggles, and finally the snorkel. When the attire is complete, I waddle over to the side of the pool and throw myself in (definitely no photos allowed!) In any weather, including winter, I can be found splashing my way up and down until my hands get too cold (although I’m told you can get gloves for this as well).

I’ll share a secret with you, known to winter swimmers: a merino vest under the wetsuit and two bathing caps to stop the

cold headache. But the pièce de résistance is a large bottle of hot water to pour over yourself after the swim and before slipping into something dry and snug.

We sometimes branch out and swim in other pools — like our near-naked sunrise swim in the Women’s Baths. Now that was a way to start the New Year!

We have all come to appreciate what a tremendous asset the ocean pools are, especially when they are more than thigh-deep, and clean. There are no entry fees, and they’re mostly situated next to wonderful views of the sea and surf. They are true heritage sites.

Swimming is good for the soul but with time running out, keeping body and mind going strong is just as important. It’s an invigorating way to start one’s day. All of us have grown much fitter, often improving our style and strokes. Some of us are now even taking part in ocean swims. Some of us are even going to hear live bands or Ted talks, and some of us are just ordering another coffee.

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