David McGowan never imagined he would enjoy waking up at 5.30am on a weekday before going to a full-time challenging job, but a friend asked him to meet for an early morning dip on Wellington's Freyberg beach.
Photo: Dwights Outdoors
He tells Jesse how the combination of being up really early in the morning and having the space all to yourself feels magical and livens the senses.
His routine started about a year ago after a friend cajoled him into joining him twice a week in Wellington Harbour. After finally agreeing he turned up one morning in November at 6am.
“The sun was out and it was such a special experience. So calm and still and that really got me hooked,” he says.
The ensuing Summer months were filled with pleasant swims, but he says the winter months offered a magical affair, bringing more intensity to the experience. “That’s when you’re going in and it’s still dark.”
Since then he’s been extoling the virtues of the activity, seeing multiple benefits over the past year.
“I’m sure my friends and family are probably fed up with me talking about it. It’s an amazing experience and I was just love everyone to give it a crack and see if they get something from it.”
The profound response from his body he puts down to the hour of the morning when he goes into the water, after just waking up, and the stillness and peacefulness of the environment.
“The minute you go into the water especially in the colder months – even in Wellington in the Summer, the weather is about 15C – I think it’s a combination of that and the early morning, it’s a cleansing experience.”
McGowan still worries about swims, even though looking forward to these. The edginess may even add to the enjoyment, as overcoming the apprehensive brings it’s own joy, he says.
“I’m not completely comfortable with open water and I think that’s something I’ve always had for years. But the actual experience completely outweighs that.”
It’s the type of experience that can’t be replicated in a public swimming pool, McGowann says, but agrees swimming and being in any type of water obviously is beneficial to the senses.
“There’s maybe something about the experience of the water – of having your body uplifted that gives you a sense of satisfaction and that’s probably what a lot of swimmers do get.”
One tip for acclimatising your body to the cold quickly is pour a cup of water over your neck and face, which triggers a response allowing the body to prepare for the experience. Swimming distances isn’t his priority and it’s indeed optional for him.
“Generally, speaking it’s just about the experience – of getting involved and see how long you can last out there, even if it’s only five minutes, 10 minutes. It’s nothing you’ll regret.”
