I think sport is a bit like wine….I find it brings together people from different walks of life….you end up meeting some people you never would have otherwise…So I love sport as I love wine….Take a team sport like rugby as an example. I played it at university for two teams; the college team and also the local town team. I met so many great people that from so many different walks of life and I learnt so much about them and myself.

So when I was asked if I wanted to be part of a friend’s Rottnest solo journey I jumped at the chance! I did a solo 2 years ago and paddled for my hubby last year on his solo swim. This year, I was proud to be part of ‘Team Bryn.’ And this year not only was Bryn’s 9 year old daughter part of the support team but also both Bryn’s parents (Rog and Elaine) were coming over from the UK to be there for him.

The day started early, so early that people were leaving clubs just as I was getting up….at 3 am.

My husband dropped me at Bryn’s house and he picked up Rog and then went to the skipper’s house, Matt to then take the boat to the water. I chilled out at Bryn’s, did a bit of stretching, talked to Elaine until it was time to go to Cottesloe Beach. The atmosphere was electric and the birds seemed excited (they were squawking non stop in the pine trees). So many people up so early on a Saturday. The IRBs were already out there on the water having put the buoys out and there were hundreds of people on the hills around the beach not to mention the paddlers and competitors on the beach as well.

Bryn was off at the second wave (after the Champions), at 0605. As I was in the water, it was great and so exciting seeing them all leave the beach. The lights, mood and the buzz everywhere was incredible, it was a real ‘pick me up’! I paddled from 0600-0800 then hubby swapped for the 0800-1000 shift. We fed Bryn every 20 minutes ensuring he followed us and we followed the boat. With the currents, I could feel we were heading north a bit too much!

I got back into the kayak from about 10-11:30 and then hubby was there for Bryn for the last leg. He completed it in 6 hours and 38 minutes. We headed off to his rented accommodation on the island, we all had showers, chilled, had a few beers, I napped and then headed to the pub. Bryn was on fine form in the pub! What a day! Hubby and I headed back on the 18:25 ferry. I must say, I was very happy to get into bed that night!

I loved every moment of the day (despite being tired…who wouldn’t waking at 3am?) and I didn’t expect anything more than a ‘thank you’ from Bryn. He was the one who put in the hours of swimming….all we did was paddle for him 4 times before the big day. We did some practice feeding and paddling along the coast before the big day and of course on the day itself. In any case, he dropped into our place on the following Monday and surprised us both with a magnum of Marqués de Riscal! I look forward to drinking it with Team Bryn!