Steven Munatones (63, USA, MSF bio here, @steven.munatones) recalled after swimming Day Five of Swim Shōdoshima（スイム小豆島), “We have been fighting against currents much of the time over these last 4 days swimming around all these peninsulas, but today was great. The tidal flows were in our favor. I was swimming so easily with a low heart rate and a two-beat kick, but moving so quickly. It was wonderful, almost too easy. But as I looked down at the underwater rock formations and kelp below me, and to my side I was reminded how fortunate I am to be doing this swim and having this opportunity in the first place.
With my son who has constantly at my side during this stage swim – the young man who is my hero who literally saved my life ten years ago – and my great buddies Chris Morgan and Jessie Salas (@coachjsalas), it was another true joy to swim today.
Of course, sometimes as we round the peninsulas where the water immediately gets shallow and opposing water flows clash, I need to stay focused and aware of everything around me as I get sloshed around, but all in all Skyler, Chris, Jessie and I are greatly enjoying ourselves.
And the most fun thing is meeting the people before and after we swim. Today, we finished at Kika Beach which is near the Olive No Mori. We learned how the local farmers harvest, hand-pick, and care for their olive trees. We were able to meet the farmers and the staff. We learned their challenges and approach to organic farming. Those kinds of exchanges will stay with us forever. We have met all different types of these locals at every stage of this swim, from coffee shop owners to sushi chefs to fishermen and farmers.
So while the swim itself was totally cool – 10.61 km in 2 hours 24 minutes – it was these special personal relationships where mutual laughter and new understandings of local customs and traditions are deeply cherished.
As the swim will come to an end tomorrow on one last leg, finishing on Angel Road, great memories have been made.“
Day Five Video:
Shōdoshima
Shōdoshima is an island located in the Seto Inland Sea within hours of Kobe, Osaka, and Kyoto by car and/or train, and ferry.
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