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Have you ever done something that made you nervous and happy at the same time?

A2 English — Final Presentation

My First Swimming Competition

Bertioga, SP — Open Water
March 2024
Why I decided to compete

The Motivation

  • Health & Strength I wanted to improve my health and become stronger.
  • New Challenge A new goal — something I had never done before.
  • Pool vs The Sea Waves, movement, many people — very different from the pool.
  • Facing Fear Before the competition, I felt afraid — but I chose to go anyway.
Me and my wife at the pool Me & My Wife — The Motivation
How I prepared — Phase 1

Pool Training

  • Getting Stronger Long sessions in the pool to get stronger and faster.
  • Training with a Parachute The parachute slows you down and makes your arms stronger.
  • Swimming with a Rope A rope holds you in place — you swim hard but don't move forward.
  • Training the Mind Learning to keep going when the body wants to stop.
Parachute Training
Rope Training
How I prepared — Phase 2

Open Water Skills

  • No Pool Lines In open water, there are no lines on the floor to follow.
  • Looking Up for Buoys I lift my head out of the water to see where the buoys are.
  • Following the Buoys The buoys show the route — I have to swim around them.
  • Open Water Practice I practiced in a local lake to prepare for the sea.
Buoy navigation diagram Buoy Route
Lake Practice
How I prepared — Phase 3

Mental Preparation

  • The Mind Matters Too The race is not only about the body — the mind is equally important.
  • Dealing with Nerves I was nervous — but I used that feeling to stay focused.
  • Breathing Control A calm breathing pattern helps the body relax during the race.
  • Swimming with Others Practicing close to other swimmers — just like in a real race.
Group Swim Practice
Focus before the swim Focus Before the Race
Bertioga, SP — The Competition

Race Day

  • Into the Water Cold sea, dozens of swimmers — and no turning back.
  • Waves & Strong Water Open water is nothing like a swimming pool.
  • The Doubt "Can I finish this race?" — I thought it more than once.
  • Keep Moving Stay calm, control breathing, find the next buoy.
Pre-race briefing on the beach Pre-Race Briefing
Swimming in open water Open Water — Race
The moment I will never forget

The Finish Line

  • I Finished! When I arrived at the end, I felt very happy and proud.
  • Winning vs. Finishing The goal was never to win — it was to complete the race.
  • I Overcame Fear I entered the sea afraid. I came out stronger.
  • A Personal Achievement A challenge completed — and a memory for life.
The Arrival
Podium ceremony Podium — 1st & 2nd Place
What this experience taught me

Summary & Conclusion

  • Discipline, Courage, Patience The three values this competition gave me.
  • More Than a Sport Swimming helps me physically AND mentally.
  • Prepare & Don't Give Up Good preparation makes difficult things possible.
  • The Sea = Life When we face the sea, we learn to face life's challenges.
Team photo Team & Community
Category results Category Results