TRAC Pool - The Healing of Discomfort.

I'm Seb and I'm very tall so I needed a way to get rid of excess energy and feel amazing after work. I started swimming at the pool when I returned to Murwillumbah after a few years away. I discovered the area in 2011 and have lived here for most of that time since. It wasn't until getting into meditation and running after a long stint as a campfire and beers kinda guy that the pool became much more than a simple exercise and something akin to defining community for me.

The staff are great. They say hello, they banter, they leave you alone after you've done your thing so it doesn't feel inconsequential. There's heaps of children and elderly, special needs, casual swimmers like myself and a handful of parents so it makes you aware of your place in the world and makes you feel caring and real. It's always clean and the facilities are nice (although I never have a hot shower because I'm tough) and despite the swim sometimes being a bit arduous, the whole experience is always good for the soul.

I am going to admit it's because I'm a bit competitive and a creative "think-outside the box" kind of bloke at heart... But I have specialised over 3 years of practice at cold water swimming during winter. I do 30 laps now a few times a week; Without the assistance of a wetsuit, flippers or a very firm tumble-turn. I never feel the same every-time but the resilience to get through the laps helps with my farm and labouring work that I like to deliver on. It gives me time to think about my personal life and my on and off office-job... So after it's all done, I feel like a new person.

I do want to mention also that when there's a petition to keep the pool open during winter and there's one signature on it, you know who it will be from! I'm sure there are many others and there should be more in the future. To everyone in town: I encourage you to give the winter swimming (at night) a go.