BY MALLORY MEAD
“Lean back, nose up!” Gracie yells to me from shore. It is my first time ever ocean kayaking. As a professional marathon swimmer, I am no stranger to the ocean‘s unpredictability. I have always been taught to dive under waves, where the water is calm and the chaos does not reach. Today I find myself paddling strait into the surf, unable to dive below and scared out of my mind. After capsizing my kayak only once, I make it past the wave break on my second try without incident.
This was the start of my perfect day.
I was accompanied by my friend and fellow marathon swimmer, Grace Van Der Byl and her husband, Neil Van Der… Continue Reading