I am writing to you from Varne Ridge Holiday Caravan Park on the white cliffs of Dover sitting out my second major storm in two weeks and thought "Well Shelley there is no time like the actual "present moment" ... where goals do not always go according to plan; so we are enjoying the English Channel journey also known as the "Rollercoaster ride of Life". ...and the apt phrase "Nothing Great Is Easy" keeps me calm as I look forward and keep going strong. Life is just like that. You get … [Read more...]
Go easy on yourself! Failure only means…
You are one step closer to success! The Solution to Failure is... to expect it. I am writing to you from Dover Harbour in the UK, as I prepare to guide West Australian, Paul Downie on his English Channel solo crossing (for Breast Cancer Care WA). This past week I have been privileged to witness amazing feats in the English Channel. Earlier today 70yrd old retired breast surgeon, Roger Allsopp of Guernsey, UK achieved his English Channel goal (again) and created a Guiness Book World … [Read more...]
Can Open Water Swimming Be Dangerous?
Answer: In the same way that a bee sting, crossing the street, and juggling with fire can be. The more experience you have, the better you can deal with the variations. The death of an athlete in the Louisville, Kentucky Ironman last weekend has focused attention on the dangers of the open-water portion of such events. The forty-six year old male athlete from New York experienced cardiac arrest and was pulled from the river just after he started the swimming portion. [read … [Read more...]
English Channel, Rottnest or Manhattan Island… What is your Everest?
I am writing to you from Varne Ridge on the white cliffs of Dover, overlooking the English Channel with a clear "Sunny" view all the way to the French coast. The memories flooded back arriving into Dover Priory yesterday. Twenty one years to the day when I achieved my Everest; swimming the English Channel solo crossing (27/8/1990) in 9hrs 27mins, becoming the first Western Australian to achieve this feat. It is a formidable sight as I stand in awe of her. The English Channel that … [Read more...]
The two P’s to Achieve Your OWS Goal and The Elusive English Channel!
News Flash!!!!!!!! ....has just been delivered that Ceinwen Williams, the 3rd of the West Australian ChannelDare.com team has successfully achieved her solo English Channel goal. And this is no easy feat! Quick fact: Did you know, more people have climbed Everest than swum the English Channel? It's that tough! Water temperatures of 16 degrees Celcius may sound tough enough to endure for 13hrs... but that is just the beginning ... and for most who attempt the … [Read more...]
It is never too late to start Winning at Swimming!
At the 2011 Australian Masters Swimming Nationals in March in Perth, Western Australia my gal pal, Julie Bradley, competed in her first competition... after only getting proper swimming lessons two years ago. I remember helping Julie at the pool a couple of years back... as girlfriends do. And I am so proud that Julie remembers the no.1 key to swimming efficiently: "“It is really important to get it right at the start because when I mastered the breathing techniques, I was … [Read more...]
www.OpenWaterSwimmingMastery.com … The Birth of
Welcome to the birth of of a new product & website....OpenWaterSwimmingMastery.com! As I gave the green light for approval for the launch announcement e-news I had the giddy nerves and excitement of my first marathon swim. And then I remembered my first state team, my first Australian team, my first American Record, my first World Race Record, my first World title..... ...and once again I acknowledged that I had a winning formula and stuck to it. If it ain't broken it … [Read more...]
Global Open Water Swimming Conference
It is what it is! Writing to you after my plane was cancelled due to the Chile volcanic ash closing down Sydney airport. It is 2am in the hotel lobby here in Los Angeles, 5am in New York City and your local time wherever you are in the world today. After three solid days of non-stop open water swimming action, excitement and honour I am left electrified with open water buzz and reflecting on the impact of the fastest growing sport on the planet. After the inspirational talks at the … [Read more...]
H20 Magazine Interview
So excited ... just been interviewed by Simon Griffiths for next issue of H20 Magazine "hero update" ... the worlds only open water swimming magazine. I never think of myself as a hero... I am most proud of my global legacy from my swimming career that created separate rankings and equal prizemoney for women and men. And that was ONLY possible because of the support team I had around me too. What FOOTPRINTS ARE YOU KEEN TO LEAVE for your family, friends, community, planet? … [Read more...]
Good or Bad?
Do you find yourself focusing on the good times or bad? Here is my suggestion for you. Have a great memory of your achievements and forget all the things you should have done or could have done better. What is one achievement from your past you can focus on? What I call your Gold Medal Moments… 1. Create a list of your personal achievements when you were standing on your dais and you were the Champion of your own world. 2. Separate the list into the following areas: strength, … [Read more...]
