On Swimming

 

Another day, another book review? If you're sensing a theme, you'd be correct. 

Relax dear reader, I'm not going into the book reviewing business. I'm far too illiterate for that. I may be the most illiterate writer you've ever come across. Except for my friend Cameron Day, author of three wonderful books, who is also a self-admitted illiterate.

Truth be told, I'm not too keen on the differences between a simile and a metaphor. And prefer to toss around terms like analogy far more often anyway. Mostly for juvenile etymological reasons. 

I once had a 2 page center spread scheduled for the Book Review section of the NY Times. 

But to my everlasting chagrin, the ad got pulled at the last minute because of some ignoramus O&O regional ABC folks in Florida -- you know, the Free Speech State.

No, I'm reviewing books in the hope of selling books. As I mentioned, I recently became an approve Amazon Affiliate Marketer, a Bezos Ho, if you will. And so I'm now actively seeking opportunities to send people to their site and smash that Buy Now button. I've only been at this for a week and have already accrued (book reviewers like to use fancy words) a whopping $00.00 in earnings.

OK, Rome wasn't built in a day. Though maybe I should have gone into MLM for vitamins. Or aluminum siding. Or put my savings into crypto.

These type of mental meanderings are actually covered by author Bonnie Tsui in her opus to swimming. It is a sport unlike any other, in that you are in an aquatic environment. Free from forces of gravity. And forced to breath in a way no other athletes do.

This in turn has a unique physiological effect on the brain. And alters thought patterns. Not surprisingly, because of the pressure water puts on the skin and the organs, blood pressure is also effected. Positively. As is oxygen intake.

Years ago, when I was afflicted with a nagging bronchitis, my doctor was pleased to hear of my daily swimming regimen. It will help you heal faster. Though, to be honest, I preferred the industrial strength purple cough medicine he prescribed. 

Mmmmm, euphoric side effects.

I picked up this book, Why We Swim, on the recommendation of my former colleague/copywriter who hasn't aged a day since I met him, Mark Abellera. He is relatively new to the swimming thing. And has marveled at my ability, as a much older man, to knock out 1500 to 2000 meters at a stretch.

I'll tell you, as I told him, as Bonnie often describes in the book, once the stamina is achieved, any length is possible. Swimmers, that is regular swimmers, often slip into a zone. Time and space and crumbling stucco on the side of the house and neighbor's dogs that refuse to stop barking, just magically disappear.

I don't know this for a fact and it is purely anecdotal, but you will find more books written about swimming than you will about any other sport. Find me a fascinating tome about lacrosse and I'll eat my swim cap. 

OK, that's not fair, I'm bald and don't own a swim cap.

One of my favorite chapters in the book reaches back centuries and reveals the special swimming techniques developed by Samurai warriors. The good ones, the ones that survived battles, had to cross raging rivers and lakes, often while wearing heavy armor, in order to defeat their foes. 

These special techniques were handed down through the generations. And in the early 1930's a crafty coach brought them to the Japanese Olympic Swim Team. According to lore, they cleaned up in Berlin. In my book, any Nazi defeat is a good defeat.

If you're considering swimming or know someone who is already a Chlorine fanatic, I suggest this book is a must have. As are a good set of bone conducting headphones (more on that at a later date.)

Put on your reading goggles and buy this book, here.