A mere four years after I had Ross Edgeley on the show, I’ve finally managed to book another swimmer! Yes my guest for this episode is the great Bonnie Tsui, journalist, writer, swimmer, surfer and author of one of my favourite books of recent years -
Another cracker. Why is it that the strictly ‘non side ways’ people illuminate what we do more so than some of those at the centre of the industry?
I have spent the last 8 months swimming and running rather than doing the sideways activities that have taken up most of my leisurely life. Curiously I have found swimmers to be a sociable lot , though the activity is definitely a solitary and unsociable pursuit. Thrashing away with eyes averted into the depths with a cap stifling any sound ,it’s no wonder swimmers want to talk when the swim is at an end. Perhaps the muffling of some senses heightens others and is part of the sensual experience. It seems to me that it is easier to achieve a state of flow whilst swimming distances in open water more than any other activity because of this.
Yesterday I went back to the source and surfed for the first time since April and possibly for only the 6th or 7th time since the New Year. Perhaps due to all the running and swimming fears of a vanished pop up came to nought. I surfed without a word to a soul and got out satiated and isolated all at once. What has 43 years of surfing done to me?
Looking forward to my next 2 hour drive, so that I can listen to this one! Thanks for getting such diverse and engaging guests.
What was the name of the writer you mentioned in the last section of Bonnie's 'cast? When you were discussing who you admired?
And yes, it was a very enjoyable listen.
Another cracker. Why is it that the strictly ‘non side ways’ people illuminate what we do more so than some of those at the centre of the industry?
I have spent the last 8 months swimming and running rather than doing the sideways activities that have taken up most of my leisurely life. Curiously I have found swimmers to be a sociable lot , though the activity is definitely a solitary and unsociable pursuit. Thrashing away with eyes averted into the depths with a cap stifling any sound ,it’s no wonder swimmers want to talk when the swim is at an end. Perhaps the muffling of some senses heightens others and is part of the sensual experience. It seems to me that it is easier to achieve a state of flow whilst swimming distances in open water more than any other activity because of this.
Yesterday I went back to the source and surfed for the first time since April and possibly for only the 6th or 7th time since the New Year. Perhaps due to all the running and swimming fears of a vanished pop up came to nought. I surfed without a word to a soul and got out satiated and isolated all at once. What has 43 years of surfing done to me?