I was a teenager when it first happened, when I first got that urge to swim with my clothes on. It was a day that changed my life.
I'll never forget when I found out about that outdoor swimming pool. It was as if it that 8 x 10 metre expanse of water was calling me. One sunny Saturday I trotted along to try it out. As I approached the pool I found a nearby bench and sat down on it. I casually slipped off my shoes to reveal a pair of black and light blue stripey socks - as you may have guessed if you read the other blogs, I have a thing for stripey socks. I simply left my shoes and walked right up to the pool edge. A mischievous grin formed on my face as I thought to myself 'Will I dare? What would it feel like?'
With that I dived into the pool. With my clothes on. Within an instant, water gushed through my black sweater and blue jeans and my dark brown hair was thrown around without any semblance of control. I felt the additional weight of the wet clothes but, unabashed, I pushed myself into a firm breaststroke underneath the surface.
I was in no hurry to clamber back out of the water. Swimming in clothes was proving to be quite a sensation! All the while the smile never left my face. I was even able to open my eyes underwater and enjoy being a free spirit. It was only after my breath began to run out that I lifted my head above the surface.
I nonchalantly swam to the edge of the pool and clambered back onto dry land. The tarmac became flooded as the excess water dripped off my sodden clothes. I returned to the bench and picked up my shoes, declining to put them back on. I simply went on my merry way and smiled to myself as I reflected on the experience of trying something I had never encountered before.
I've been making up for lost time ever since!
xxx
