Hisøy rundt 17.2 km - 6 hours - Open water swimming Arendal, Norway - Audun Taraldsen

I keep checking off long trips on my swimming bucket list. Only 2 months ago, I was so proud to complete 5k at the Royal Docks in London...check! Then, one month later, I did a 10.8k in nearly 5 hours...check! Then I did a swim in a storm a couple of weeks ago. Epic. Check! I am very thankful the ocean is taking care of me. Then I did my first swim expedition. I packed the float with tent, mattress, food and water and swam for the furthest lighhouse, spent the night and swam back the next morning. What an adventure...check. And now I know I can swim for 6 hours straight. Next adventure must be swimming 12 hours straigt...and I have the perfect island for it :-)

Lessons learnt:
- My mind is my only limitation...the body had boundless energy
- If you treat the ocean with respect, it will allow you passage
- With OWS, I can create incredible adventures anytime, anywhere. This brings much joy to my life.
- I feel a great sense of physical accomplishment...at the ripe age of 46
- I keep depression at bay (pun intended :-) with swimming the ocean
- The pain I had in my joints after last summers kne-infection after running 22km is gone.
- I am getting in good shape swimming 10k + per week
- Swimming long distances is great meditation and relaxes the mind