In the early days after my arrival in Galway, I befriended a group of elderly gentlemen while drinking at Taffes. Everything was still so new and exciting to me, so I sought their advice on activities to try and places to visit within the city limits. “Swim in the ocean” was their communal response. As it turns out, these men have been taking daily swims in the frigid Atlantic, unphased, for the last twenty-three years (pending extreme weather conditions). When I asked why, one of them responded, “Because it’s refreshing. The cold water revitalizes me and helps my mind sharpen up to focus in on the day ahead.” Coming from New England, where the ocean water is freezing even in the summer months, I was somewhat skeptical about trying this as the fall and winter months neared. Yet, I kept it in the back of my mind for a later date.
Fast forward to yesterday: January 1st. I figured there was no better opportunity to take this blind leap than to kickoff 2019. Looking forward into the new year, there are a lot of new and uncertain experiences to be had: my first semester roommates have finished their time abroad and returned home to the States, so I patiently await the arrival of my new ones. My coaching schedule will adjust as I transition into working with new schools and fresh young faces around the city. And, my National League club looks to move past our struggles in conference play as we begin the second half of our season. In all, the timing of this new experience felt appropriate.
Climbing the platform in Salthill and staring down thirty feet into the calm ocean water beneath, I couldn’t help but feel a similar calmness come over me. I took the leap. And, through this experience I can confidently say one thing . . . those men I met back in September are psychotic. That water was so much colder than I imagined. Seriously. If you come across an elderly man named Eoin drinking in Taffes pub in Galway on a Tuesday afternoon, do not take his advice.
While my swimming escapades are on hold indefinitely— at least until the weather begins to warms— I am still ready to take the metaphorical leap of faith into the months to come. After a few weeks away from classes, basketball, and coaching, I’m ready to revitalize my mind, focus in on the tasks ahead, and to make the most of my time remaining in Ireland.
