As Day Three of the unprecedented Swim Shōdoshima（スイム小豆島) is about to get underway, the entire team has made all kinds of friendships with the local populace of Shōdoshima, an island of just over 12,000 Japanese.
Steven Munatones (63, USA, MSF bio here, @steven.munatones) says, “We are being touched by the locals who love their island and love the fact that we are visiting and appreciating their little slice of paradise.
From the staff at 24 Eyes Movie Studio to the owner of the Kibō-no-michi sandbar [shown above with ], kayaker Chris Morgan, observer Yuko Matsuzaki, paddle boarder Skyler Munatones, and standup paddler Jessie Salas (@coachjsalas) have made lots of friends. And we have received lots of kind and touching messages, mostly in Japanese, but also in an occasional English. Below are a few.”
English Letter One
You must have been very tired after yesterday’s swim.
Swimming 15.23 km in 3 hours and 48 minutes through heavy rain is something I can hardly imagine. It made me realize once again what an incredible challenge you are taking on. I was truly moved.
Learning that there were thousands of jellyfish reminded me that some experiences can only be understood by actually entering the sea and experiencing them firsthand. From talking with Rieko, I have also come to understand how many years of dedication and daily training have led you to this remarkable challenge.
Through your journey, I have learned an important lesson from you—that there is a world that can only be discovered by taking action and experiencing it firsthand. I sincerely hope today’s swim will also be safe and filled with wonderful experiences.
English Letter Two
Your daily messages make me feel as if I am traveling along the beautiful coast of Shodoshima together with you. I read each one with great admiration and heartfelt emotion.
Once again today, I was amazed to learn that you swam 13.59 km in 3 hours and 32 minutes despite the strong winds and rough waves. What stayed with me the most was your comment that it was still “a very beautiful course.”
Just like yesterday, reading about the thousands of jellyfish, the wind, the waves, and the ever-changing conditions of the sea allowed me to vividly picture the scene. These are precious experiences that can only be felt by someone who has actually entered the sea and swum through it, just as you have.
I sincerely hope that tomorrow you will be blessed with favorable sea conditions. Everyone at Shimayado Shiori is cheering for you and your team.
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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The people of Shōdoshima sound warm and welcoming. How wonderful that they seem to appreciate you, your family and crew with such open arms. I’m always amazed at how you make such a tough experience seem so tender. Stay safe and please keep sharing.
Your combination of personal grit and gratitude is rare. The swimming is amazing as are the evolving stories about the people, the jellyfish, and the gorgeous natural setting. We are with you here in Long Beach, California.