Race 7 - Day 4
Crew Diary - Three little molecules
27 February

Water is wonderful in many ways. It’s probably the Piscean in me that has given me such a love of it; from jumping in puddles as a toddler to throwing water-bombs at my siblings and learning to swim.

I love being in it, under it and on top of it. I’ve rowed and felt the lovely gurgling bubbles under a skulling boat when it’s moving well and the speed over the water when in a fast-moving ‘8’. I’ve canoed in beautiful quiet back-waters and watched otters and dragonflies at play. I’ve felt the rush of wind and watched jellyfish around me when wind-surfing in the sea and felt the thrill of diving and performed some spectacular falls into it when water-skiing.

I’ve swum in pools, lakes, rivers and seas and experienced the incredible effects of cold water swimming, particularly winter swimming in the Thames. At below 5 degrees C. ‘cold water shock’ kicks in and you are temporarily unable to breathe; this passes when you just relax, you can't fight it. Once it has faded, the sensation of the water is incredible – it’s difficult to tell whether your skin is hot or cold, it’s a bit puzzling but quite lovely! You then feel tingles all over and for those who enjoy the ‘ice cream’ head, just stick you head under the water! It’s been found to have many health benefits, both physical and mental.

The one thing I hadn’t really tried on the water was sailing. I have certainly gained a far better insight into the whole business by joining the Clipper Race; a baptism of fire! And what a great thing that I decided to have a go. I have a whole different appreciation for water on a huge scale. To sail for more than 3 weeks and not see another human being apart from our crew, just wall to wall water, is awe-inspiring. To see the big skies with the nightly show of stars and ever greater waves splashing over the decks bringing the luminescence with them to drip off the sails is spectacular and beautiful.

Yes, water is good. And so is sailing!