SARAH QUINN AND AMENAH MCDONALD, SWIMMING AND SURFING AT OCEAN GROVE, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

Sarah Quinn taught me to say ‘You never regret a swim’ and I have been saying it now for decades. And I don’t and nor does she and nor does Amenah McDonald. Sarah and Amenah have a beautiful connection through the ocean at Ocean Grove, Australia. Amenah plans her week around how the surf is going to be, while Sarah reads the water every morning on the way to dropping her kids off at school. Both live close to the ocean and are in every day if it lets them – the water is their friend, but sometimes it can be treacherous. Amenah is Captain and Director of Lifesaving Operations at Ocean Grove Lifesaving Club, overseeing safety at this beach. In the summer, there can be up to 10,000 people here, and maintaining safety is paramount, while not getting in the way of people’s enjoyment of the water. There is a lively group of women who swim and surf here, and they follow their swims with a weekly life debrief – how is life treating you, what’s going on, whats troubling you? Life revolves around the water here, and companionship is key.  We recorded a Swimmingpod podcast at the look-out tower that is the focal point for safety here, the Ocean Grove Lifesaving Club.

Listen here