There was a scholarly study that demonstrated if an individual blunders, their likeability increases, but that effect only occurs if the person who blunders is considered competent.

In the open water swimming world, there are many who do not succeed at their attempts.

They try…courageously, but do not reach the other shore. They set off on an attempt…with all good intentions, but do not achieve their goal. They start off well, but unfortunately Mother Nature takes a turn for the worse and conditions become impossible.

When a swimmers is pulled from the water, when a swimmer voluntarily stops, when a swimmer cannot even start due to poor weather, neither derision nor doubt are cast in their direction. Rather support and empathy are showered upon the swimmer.

This kind of camaraderie in the open water swimming world occurs in the real world and virtual world. Handshakes and hugs, voice messages and Facebook messages, emails and snail mail are shared and given.

That kind of collegiality is a wonderful thing to see in the open water swimming world.

Copyright © 2013 by World Open Water Swimming Association