Fraser Dunbar Swim - An ode to the sea

He's not a poet he said. So he got help from an 85-year old patient with this verse in honour of his Cook Strait swim. 

Fraser Dunbar, in his sea of dreams. 

Ultra-Swim 

Cook Strait n-s
Swim date: 6 April 2021 
Time: 9h 46m 3s 
​Age: 50
Observer: Philip Rush 


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When I was young (8) and learnt to swim,
I planned to swim across the sea,
I’d swim to the other side, then come home for tea.
I settled for Cook;-it was the nearest to me.


Despite being old, bald and declining
In earnest I started training
000’s kms I covered
Even then, I wasn’t sure.


The day came; it started early
Up at 5
Tuesday 6th April
Twenty twenty one


Down to the shore we did go
“He” covered me with grease
“I prefer women with bosom” !
Was all the advise I got.


Get into the sea
“Now touch that rock”
Temp was comfortable 
“Off we go” Phil said to me.


For the first three hours,it was was a breeze
And my strokes came with ease.
As the hours passed on, I called all my will,
Would my prep fit the bill?


Then suddenly I was unwell
Sick as sick................
- for 3 hours; whatever could it be?
I doubted my ability, to cross that sea.


The words of Phil and Nathan gave encouragement
“Across-only 6k-have a look;-away you go”
Touch a rock in the dark
“Don’t muck around-get out of there”


9-46-03.


END