No, I Didn’t Wear a Wetsuit
A poem by Beth Varela

No, I didn’t wear a wetsuit
I felt it on my skin
I faced the challenge on my own
My heat came from within.

The sharks were in the water
But they were scared of me
They didn’t wear a wetsuit either
They just let me be.

You swam from here to there?
What’s the distance? Cold or hot?
Did you wear a wetsuit?
I assure you, I did not.

No, I didn’t wear wetsuit
The day my kids were born 
No one ever asked me then
What protective gear I’d worn.

No, I didn’t wear a wetsuit
When I tested for Black Belt
Skipped bedtimes, meeting deadlines
No, all of that I felt.

No, I didn’t wear a wetsuit 
To shield me from the force
Of the pain I would endure
While I went through my divorce.

Let’s not be scared of challenges
And yes, we will grow old
But no, we don’t need wetsuits
I choose to face the cold.

Yes I own a wetsuit 
On a hanger’s where it sits 
In all the ways I’ve grown
The suit no longer fits.

_________________________

My Story

I didn't originally set out to become a marathon swimmer. At least, not in the very beginning.

I started as a triathlete. After the pandemic, I wanted to become a stronger swimmer so I could improve the swim portion of my races. Along the way, I discovered podcasts like Tri Swim Coach and Marathon Swim Stories, and I became fascinated by the people tackling some of the world's most challenging open-water swims. I also fell in love with the swim community. 

In January 2022, I joined I-Swim Masters in Minnesota, where I met incredible coaches, training partners, and a community that completely changed the way I think about swimming. Since then, I've had the privilege of completing swims that once seemed unimaginable, including Point to La Pointe, the Alcatraz Invitational, the Freedom Liberty Swim to the Statue of Liberty, Prison to Prison from Alcatraz to San Quentin, and several local open-water events. I've also earned my certification in Lifeguarding with CPR/AED from the American Red Cross - in part so my friends who are freaked out about water safety know they have their own personal lifeguard at the beach with them when we hang out. 😛

The swim journey is just getting started. Next up are the Double Freedom Liberty Swim, the 15K Swim to the Moon in Michigan, and, if all goes according to plan, a crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe to Africa in 2029.

Training for marathon swimming is a long process. Every swim builds on the last, and every year brings a little more distance, a little more speed, and a little more experience. Not to mention the life lessons along the way. As I work toward Gibraltar, I wanted my training to have an impact beyond the finish line.

Why I'm Proud to Support Colin's Hope.

Swimming has given me so much: friendships, endurance, unforgettable adventures, and a deep respect for the water. But swimming is also a lifesaving skill that far too many children never have the opportunity to learn.

I'll never forget the moment my youngest, my daughter, kicked off my belly in the pool, ducked her head underwater, came up for a breath, kept going, and reached the side of the pool for the first time. It was probably 4-5 feet in distance. I remember thinking, "We made it. Both of my kids can swim. Both of my kids can keep themselves safe in the water until I can get to them. We made it." What a relief.

Every parent should have that moment.

Colin's Hope works to prevent childhood drowning through water safety education, swim lessons, and awareness so that more children can enjoy the water safely.

If you'd like to support both this journey and Colin's Hope's mission, I'd be honored to have you along. I fund my swims on my own. Every donation from this page goes directly to Colin's Hope to help more children and families stay safe around water.

Thank you for being part of the adventure. I hope you'll follow along as one swim leads to the next, all the way to Gibraltar.