Swam in the pool this morning with SwimVacation President, Hopper. He saw our slideshow last night, and throughout our workout, I keep thinking of more things to tell him about the trip…”Oh yeah and….” “Oh yeah and….” That will probably last another week or so. I feel heavy in the freshwater pool and catch myself looking for turtles. All I see are hairballs and that damn black line….

I like to try to do a final post when I get home from each trip, and each time, it’s a really bitter sweet process for me. I love reveling in the past week just a little more, but it’s also hard to know it’s over (especially with the thermometer below 20 F this morning).

We all meandered off the boat by 9am on Saturday so the crew could get it ready for the next guests – they had only three hours to do it! Hugs for them – Kerry and Bazza I’ll see again in just three months time, but my Princess Lulu, well, I don’t know. I have faith I’ll see her again in some exciting place, for some fun adventure, but in the mean time, well, it was a messy goodbye.

Paul and Jamie were headed to the airport on Tortola, while Alison & Ken, Bob & Judy and Will, Megan and I were all headed to St. Thomas by ferry. Somehow we were all booked on separate ferries, but we managed to connect in the airport before our respective planes took off.

As I sat in the airport eating an overpriced, overcooked veggie burger, I felt myself beginning to decompress from the week. We crammed so much into each day that I surfed on the adrenaline and joy into the next day. As we said our goodbyes to our new friends, I sat down and could barely keep my eyes open.

It was a pretty uneventful flight back up north to Boston, and once the clouds obscured my view to that impossible blue water of the Caribbean sea, I closed the window shade. I don’t like watching the scenery change as much on the way home. When I did look again, I was treated to a stunning sunset – a perfect cap to a great week.

Bus to Portland, shivering, freezing, so glad I packed my hat. husband comes to collect me, son runs into my arms when I walk through the door. Climb into bed with fresh sheets and lie there in the dark for a while. Could it really be that just this morning I awoke to tropical air coming through my hatch on Promenade? Is it possible that just yesterday I swam three miles along the shore of Peter Island? Yes and yes. And now I’m in my wonderful, cozy home, all decked out for the holidays. I’m fit and tan from a week of incredible swimming, and now I get to share the photographs from the week with our friends and family. I’ll spend the week editing, and get a big bunch of complimentary photographs to our guests just after Christmas. They’ll ring in the new year with great memories of the things they accomplished last week, and new confidence to bring to 2012. As Alison said, Life is Good.

Actually, it’s pretty great.

Until next time, friends, keep your strokes long, and don’t forget to anchor.

- Heather

I don’t remember the last time I wished it wasn’t Friday, but today was sweet-bitter-sweet. Can it be we’ve come to the end of this amazing week?

But first, another jam packed day to report!

Woke up in our new bay (South Bay) to stiff winds. Whatever, we’re going for a swim. And a new swim we’ve never done before. Our swimmers want distance? We give them distance. Our swimmers want deep water? We give them deep water. Our swimmers like it rough (Bob and Judy chant “The rougher the better!”), we give it to them. We even throw in some turtles, sting rays, tons of reef fish, tarpon and a big barracuda, just for fun. We plotted a course from Promenade, to the end of South Bay, back past Promenade, around to White Bay, and into Spring Bay. Oh, and then back. Call it a triple bay swim. Call it wind in our faces both ways (what?? Yes.). Call it you wanted it rough, you got it, kiddo. Call it three long good miles.

And yes, that makes 20.

Twenty miles, five days. A SwimVacation record.

Team work: Will, Alison and Jamie took turns leading and drafting off of one another. Paul and I did the same. This is the swimmer equivalent of offering one another piggy back rides. We literally pulled each other to the finish.

We climbed back aboard Promenade, pumped, worn, and feeling pretty damned proud of ourselves. Up went the sails and we settled in for the hour or so ride to Beef Island, Tortola. The seas were slightly rough, but this boat is so stable, she merely rocks up and down a bit. Not sure if it was that or the morning swim, but more than one of us found a quiet place to nod off to sleep. Good to see everyone resting, so pleased with their accomplishments. Good to know we finally tuckered them out. I know they tuckered me and Will out.

Had another great lunch in a little bay off Beef Island. We did another round of video taping and then enjoyed a leisurely swim / snorkel around the mangroves. This spot has become a Swimvacation favorite treat. It’s a place we can hide from the wind, as can tons of juveniles of all marine species. It’s like visiting a kindergarten for the Caribbean sea.

Time to head back, and I absolutely hated to get out of the water. Somehow I managed. Showered and spiffed up – we all came out dressed for our last evening together. Fantastic dinner of pasta, cheesy garlic bread and Kerry’s delicious version of bananas foster (Ok, Kerry, this is your last chance to fatten this group up!). After dinner we watched a slideshow from our week. Mostly my photographs (and videos!) with a few from contributing guests and guides, perfectly arranged and set to music by Will. Everyone loved it so much, we watched it again. It really is incredible to see such an amazing and jam packed week flash before your eyes in an 8 minute slideshow. How could it have only been a week? How could we have done and seen so much?

The conversation around the dinner table was joyous and congratulatory. We all talked about which swim was our favorite, and favorite moments from the week. By far, what everyone commented on most was the incredible camaraderie of this group. This week was a real team effort. No matter who swam, or who sat one out, or who climbed into the dinghy at the end of a swim, this group was unified in the goal each day. Working hard in the water, cheering from the boat, sharing in the joy on completion. I felt it, we all felt it. The things we can accomplish when surrounded by friends with a common goal!

Some real bonding moments were our first epic swim from Monkey Point to Muskmellon Bay off of Guana, and suffering through Will’s challenging drills. Nobody quit. Everyone exceeded their own expectations for themselves. And that, as always, is what makes this thing so special to be a part of.

Will reviewed today’s stroke videos with everyone, and every single swimmer has made changes in their stroke mechanics and increased efficiency. That’s a lot to do in one week.

But that’s what you came here for, now didn’t you? You came to swim. Swim you did. Longer and farther and faster than you thought you could. And the confidence you earned here will pay you dividends in the stuff that life will throw at you from now on. Remember how the wind blew, and you got in the water. Remember how the swell rose up, and you kept going. Remember how you wanted to “Finish this thing!” and you did.

I know I won’t forget.

Tomorrow we’ll enjoy one more cup of coffee together and step off Promenade and begin to head off in different directions. But the strides we made together this week? Indelible.

To long, strong strokes, anchors and high elbows. To epic swims not done alone. To confidence and camaraderie and shared passion for what we do. To friends we’ll swim with again.

Cheers and thanks, all!

- Heather

Captain Bazza keeps us afloat and safe from harm. We strikes the perfect balance of letting us call the shots for our itinerary, but also helping us figure out where we can put our swimmers in the water with the conditions we need for every swim. He’s a brilliant engineer and can build just about anything; for example, this ROV of which he built every single inch. Any time I’ve had any minor (or major) camera gear malfunction, Bazza always disappears into his Bazza boat cave and by the time he re-emerges, it’s fixed. He’s also damn good at dragging us around behind the dinghy on various water toys. Thanks, Bazz.

Admiral and Chef Kerry keeps us fed and well. She tries desperately to fatten us up, and if it weren’t for all the swimming we do, she’d be pretty successful. She’s a tell it like it is kind of gal, and I can always count on her for an honest, common sensical opinion. She’s a fiend underwater and makes sure I get to do a lot of diving on SwimVacation. She’s the best dive buddy a girl could have (even when she’s being pooped on by a remora – see picture – for reals). Kerry is always up for a dinghy adventure, and makes the best loaf of bread around. Thanks, Kerry.

Lisa, or as we like to call her, Princess Lulu (and my other favorite dive buddy), has had plenty of SwimVacation experience from the days when she and her husband Rich used to run Promenade on K & B’s off season. Lisa flew all the way from the UK to join us this week (didn’t take much arm twisting – she’s been drying up from lack of diving), and her help has been so critical to our success this week. She’s a pro on the boat, and constantly kicks me out of the dishwashing line so that I can edit and blog. Her dinghy support was a great gift to Will and I in the water as we lead our intrepid swimmers through an incredible week of swimming. She’s also good for a great hug. Thank you, Lulu.

On a personal note, it has been a real gift to me to be on Promenade with my two girls, Kerry and Lulu this week. And to dive with them both at the same time is a dream come true.

For all you do over the week, the hundreds of things that get noticed and the countless things that don’t, we love you and thank you! We couldn’t do this without you (but you know that).

xo – Heather

Will lead our guests on an early morning 3 mile run of Sunset Loop on Peter Island. They returned invigorated and ready to jump in the water, in spite of the gusts.

We enjoyed a spectacular morning in White Bay – Will led our swimmers through an ab workout in the water, which lead to beach starts and finishes, which lead to buoy turns, which lead to general frolic and play in the waves. I happily had my cameras going the whole time.

We spent much of the day sailing around, coming up with plans A, B, and C and looking for cover from this warm and relentless wind. We scratched our plan to snorkel the Indians and swim around Pelican Island, opting instead for a 2.5 mile course off of Norman Island in the lee of the wind. This took us from the NW bay into and completely circumnavigating the Bight to the point on the other side.

The wind was doing all sorts of crazy things in the Bight, seemingly against us no matter which way we turned. Our fast group was out in front and reached the point in record time, in spite of the conditions. Lisa patrolled our line of swimmers the whole time. She picked up Will, Jamie and Alison when they reached the point in a froth of swell and wind. They raced back to let the rest of us know what lay ahead. I asked my group what they wanted to do – get in the dinghy, or continue on to the point. Bob answered with an emphatic “Let’s finish this thing”. And so we did. We kept on through big busy, powerful water, heads down and strokes deliberate. Our swimmers never balked.

Lisa was there to meet us at the end of the point. We gathered everyone up and headed back to the boat – jumping back in to swim the last quarter mile. Another inspiring swim full of turtles and silversides and rays and push and challenge. Our guests are gobbling it all up.

Records exploding left and right: this afternoon’s swim brings us to nearly 17 miles so far this week, and we still have two swims tomorrow (do I hear 20?!). At dinner, Jamie revealed that today’s swim brought him to his 600 mile mark this year. Judy has increased her pace by nearly 5 minutes per mile. Megan has probably covered more distance in the water this week than she has in her 2 years of swimming. Bob has changed his stroke to be more efficient (“You have to anchor!”). Alison is enjoying the push to keep up with Jamie and Ken is much faster and more confident than he was when he was here last March. Paul found a whole new gear this afternoon. Everyone is driving this week home with new marks on the life list. Raise a glass to that.

I think what I have loved most about this group is the easy cohesion they found almost immediately. Hard to believe that it was just 5 days ago that seven strangers sat waiting at the marina. Seven friends have cheered for one another and celebrated each other’s accomplishments, finding inspiration to dig a little deeper in one another’s wake. If you stepped onto this boat tonight, you’d think we’d all been swimming and laughing together for years.

Sometimes the wind brings with it the opportunity to try something new. Tonight we’re in the protection of a bay next door to White Bay on Peter Island. We’ve never anchored here before. In the morning we’ll make a new swim from here into White Bay. We asked our swimmers if they were up for the adventure of unchartered waters. Without hesitation, every one of them cheered.

Blow all you want, wind. You’ll need more than that to keep us out of the sea.

Let’s finish this thing!

- Heather

Hello again – it’s return SwimVacationer, Alison. After just 9 months, Ken and I are back in the BVI with Heather and Will! I was worried that my love of the first trip arose from the novelty. Mais non, mes amis! In a way, the second trip has been even better; right away, we could relax because we knew we were in good hands. Interestingly, we’ve embraced the differences; rather than trying to replicate the first trip, we are enjoying what makes this journey unique. This group is more ‘swimming focused’, seeking improvements in technique, speed, open water experience, and distance.

SwimVacation has so many spectacular moments. There are the expected firsts – longest distance (Megan accomplished a PR today!), most technical (yesterday, Paul, Jamie, and I battled an awesome current and 3 miler with Heather and Will…exhaustion!), new species (sighting the school of squid), and underwater filming. But it’s the unexpected surprises that make the experience. Today had quite a few: Ken’s first slalom ski, our first wreck dive, the massive (massive) grouper that occupies the Rhone, changing plans mid-day to find the best swim site, and free diving records!

Our day began with dynamic stretching run by Megan. In the water we jumped into drills and vertical kicking, then a chance to practice technique in Muskmellon Bay. Will’s advice was hugely helpful, albeit challenging to implement at first. But, we quickly improved by leaps and strides (or strokes and kicks, as the case may be)! Breakfast was amazing – Keri presented a spread of delicious eggs Hollandaise, home fries, and a fresh fruit salad. This fueled us through a mid-day dive at the Wreck of the Rhone. I was truly amazed at the juxtaposition of coral, marine life and the stark architecture of the Rhone. Lulu pointed out a gigantic grouper, two blow fishes, forests of Christmas tree worms, and a school of barracudas. Then I noticed a portal and hatch, abruptly reminding me of the history behind the wreck. Meanwhile, other members of our group snorkeled. Will and Paul free dove through the propeller, tapping out at 55 feet!

By afternoon, we arrived at White Bay off Peter Island, the only boat in the calm, quite bay. Our guides plotted a course for everyone’s level and Lisa supported us from the dingy. Immediately, an elegant spotted eagle ray introduced herself, followed shortly by a tailless stingray. I let Jamie and Will pull ahead while I worked on my stroke. Heather and Ken found a nursery of silversides and needle fish diving into the action. Surprisingly, we returned to the boat to find Bazza enticing us to waterski. Not knowing if they had any energy left, Bob and Ken asserted their prowess by covering every last corner of the bay!

Just when you think I am done – really, how could we pack more into the day?! Well, we spruced up for dinner, danced a little, and gathered on the trampolines. Judy waited all year to see the Geminid meteorite shower and the skies were clear, just for her! The bounty of shooting stars was truly magical. Life is good.

- Alison

PS. Thanks, Alison!

PPS. Conversation between Paul and Will today:

Paul: “This is SwimVacation, it’s DreamVacation!”

Will: “We don’t dream it, we DO it! It’s DoVacation!”

Cheers to that, Gentlemen.

Judy wakes up to Bob talking in his sleep: “You have to anchor!”. I guess Will made an impact with his stroke technique session last night. As I type, our swimmers are huddled around Will’s computer, looking at the videos we shot of them and listening to Will’s technique talk. Everyone is pretty excited to get in and do some drills in the morning.

But first, let’s deal with today. I must say this is starting to get a little ridiculous…it was another really special day.

Woke up at the Baths (who doesn’t love to wake up at the Baths?) Will and I guided our guests through a the nature strewn boulders. Minds blown. Through crevasses and little gaps we cruised, diving down occasionally to check out the sea life below. It’s hard to do this place justice with a camera. It’s hard to believe it’s even real. We ended at my favorite beach on earth. Fine white sands, rolling waves of aqua blue, a few more big boulders, half buried in the sand as if they have been dropped there like smooth marbles from the heavens. We played in the waves and just sat and took it all in. This is a place I just never get tired of. We swam back to the boat for a total of 1.75 miles.

We arrived with wide eyes and hungry bellies. Ready for breaky!

After breakfast we headed back to shore to walk through the smooth boulder field. Oohs and ahhs and wows and more from our guests. Lovely spots to make pictures of this moment’s memory for them.

After lunch we said goodbye to the Baths and motored to Guana Island for what is one of my favorite swims. We jump in off the boat at Monkey Pt., swim all the way around one tip of the island and into Muskmellon Bay – a huge bay surrounded by severe rocky cliffs and loaded with wildlife. It’s much wilder up here - and no other boats in sight. The Promenade and dinghy both followed us along, and Promenade anchored in Muskmellon for the night, while we finished the swim.

The course we plotted was a full three miles, and much of it is exposed to open sea. It’s a serious swim, and can be quite advanced depending on the conditions. Half of our guests decided to sit this one out – listening to their bodies, or wanting more in water drill work before committing to a long swim. Three of our darlings plunged into beautiful White Bay, Guana Island for the long haul before us. Will accompanied speed demons Jamie and Alison, while I swam with Paul.

We jumped in and I realized almost immediately that we were swimming against a significant current. No matter – we dug deep and pressed on. What else can you do?

It was one of those swims. One of those swims you just never forget. Breathing to the right, I was treated to the spectacular view of Guana’s wild cliffs. Breathing to the left, I got the comforting image of Lisa accompanying us in the the dinghy. Both were appreciated, as we fought and slogged through a very rough course. Current, swells; you name it, Guana threw it at us. Paul and I are so evenly matched – we both held a strong pace and stayed fairly in sync. The waves tossed us on top of one another again and again – no matter, we had a job to get done. When we finally got into Muskmellon Bay I fully expected the conditions to calm. Not so. We continued to push through the discomfort and remembered that we are strong enough to do this.

By the time we got to the outermost tip of Muskmellon Bay, we both felt a waning in our resolve. Just then, a gloriously large spotted eagle ray showed up, and nearly ran in to Paul. The thing was huge, majestic and spectacular with its chocolate brown color and bright white spots and rings on its back. Trailing beneath the ray were two large remora – attempting to pick up a ride and maybe and extra crumb from lunch or two. At one point, the ray (harmless, save for its heart breaking beauty) looked directly up at us and swam right toward us, coming nearly feet from our hands. We got a full on view of its powerful snout, as well as the clinging remora on its belly. The ray swam directly beneath us until we hit the corner, finishing our circumnavigation of the bay.

Just when we needed the lift.

We watched for a few more seconds, turned around and sized up our home stretch back to the boat. Jazzed from our ray encounter, we were ready to bring it home hard. And that’s just what we did. The whole swim took Paul and I an hour and a half on the nose, which is pretty good considering the conditions. We arrived at the boat to the applause and cheering of the other three who had made the swim (MUCH faster than us!) as well as our other guests. They had watched intently the entire way as Bazza followed along in the big boat. Paul and I were thrilled to learn that Will, Jamie and Alison had also seen the same spotted eagle ray. What a lift. We hugged and hooted and hollered for ourselves. It was a great, big deal.

I think the thing I loved best about this swim today is that somehow, it actually belonged to everyone. Only 5 of us made the swim, but everyone watched and waited and supported and cheered. Everyone on this boat took ownership in this achievement today. And it feels damn good.

Lisa whipped up a spot hitting pitcher of banana daiquiris and we chilled and relaxed in this wild bay that we conquered. So spectacular.

Dinner was incredible cheesy garlic bread and shrimp fettucini pasta (no worries, we burned that off long before it came!) followed by a plate of delectable chocolates for dessert. We looked into the water off the stern after dark and saw thousands of little blue glowing lights – phosphorescence. Literally, a sea full of stars.

Let’s see, what could top a smash bang day like this? Oh I don’t know. Maybe, say, A METEOR SHOWER?? Oh come ON. I mean, really. Really? How good is this thing going to get? We spent much of the evening lying on the trampolines, faces to the cloudless sky, milky way in plain site, twinkly waves lapping beneath us, watching a meteor shower. Cue music, this day’s a wrap.

The world is an amazing place, eh? Especially tonight in Muskmellon Bay.

- Heather

Sunset at Muskmellon

TGIM = Thank God It’s Monday.

You’d say that too if you’d been here….What a day.

Woke up to coffee and sunshine and the flat calm of Great Harbour, Peter Island. Everyone got ready for a 730 swim briefing – these kids are here to swim.

We plotted two ambitious courses – a short course and a long course, 2 and 3 miles respectively. Of course in the middle of this long swim, we enjoyed a good and silly bounce on the water trampoline – one of my favorite SwimVacation stops. Crazy fun, and not an insignificant effort in the middle of a 2 or 3 mile swim!

The wildlife community delivered for us – a spotted eagle ray, a sting ray, barracuda, tarpon, a few turtles, schools of squid, a giant puffer, flamingo tongues all joined us along the way.

After the swim I threw on the dive gear and jumped in the water with our arsenal of underwater video cameras and had our swimmers each make several passes for detailed underwater stroke analysis. Tonight Will is doing a stroke clinic overview and then he’ll go over everyone’s videos individually with them. Watching yourself swim is probably the single most helpful way to improve your efficiency in the water.

As our swimmers exited the water, they put in their orders for a fantastic custom hot breakfast. Our hungry little birds made quick work of eggs, bacon, toast, banana pancakes and fruit.

Bazza pulled Will and I aside and let us know that the channel was relatively flat and calm – something that doesn’t happen all that often down here. Conditions were perfect for us to make a very special afternoon swim.

In the days of Black Beard the pirate, that mean scalawag would punish mutinous sailers by dumping them off on the desolate Dead Chest Island, a monolithic rock faced landmass at the collision point of the Sir Francis Drake Channel and the Caribbean Sea. They had neither food nor water. These resources were a mere half mile swim away, on the lush island we know today as Peter Island. Problem #1: the channel crossing was treacherous. Problem #2: pirates couldn’t swim. Many men lost their lives trying to escape Dead Chest Island, and their bodies would wash up, ironically, onto the very island they were trying to reach, in what has become known as Dead Man’s Bay.

November 2009: SwimVacationers became the first people to ever do what Black Beard’s men could not – Survive the crossing.

December 2011: SwimVacationers make another unprecedented swim – they become the first swimmers to make the crossing….backwards!

Conditions were perfect, but logistics led us to start at Peter and cross to Dead Chest. Only our intrepid swimmers would swim toward an island of no return….and live to tell the tale.

Everyone was pumped. We jumped in off the Promenade and crossed in two swimming pelotons. My group was had a turtle escort for the final 100 meters of the swim (thanks, little buddy!). We all high fived in the shallows of Dead Chest and climbed back aboard the Promenade, waiting for us near by. We devoured a lunch as we motored upwind to our overnight mooring at The Baths.

We got to beautiful Virgin Gorda and our swimmers decided they weren’t quite done. Several jumped in to snorkel around, and Paul, Jamie and Ken made a dive with me, Lisa and Kerry. Our guests spent between 4 to 6 hours in the water today. Towel please.

Dinner? No leftovers – sorry! Dessert was boat made vanilla ice cream and brownies. Go ahead. Have seconds. You’ve earned it!

A banner Monday with numerous achievements, many made possible by the glorious conditions today. Thank you BVI. Take that, Blackbeard.

I’m sitting in the Salon perched above our guests who are all rapt by Will’s stroke efficiency talk. They’re watching the magic of Michael Phelps on the flatscreen and Will is breaking it down for them bit by bit. Tomorrow we’ll try to implement some of the finer points of stroke efficiency.

I think our charges will sleep well tonight. I know I will. And for as good a day as they had today, they have the splendor of The Baths to look forward to in the morning. Sleep well, friends. I wonder: about which of your incredible moments from the day will you dream?

- Heather

PS. Let it be noted that for the second day in a row, our rookie swimmer Judy broke her own distance record with a 2 mile swim and a one of a kind channel crossing. Jeez, Judy, what will tomorrow hold???!

Sunset behind Promenade at The Baths

No hesitation for swim number 1.

11:20am. Village Cay Marina. Paul sits at a table, waiting. Twenty feet away from him, Jamie is sitting on a stone wall with his bag. Just a few meters away in the open air restaurant, Alison & Ken are finishing breakfast, and sitting just one table away from them are Bob & Judy. I love this concept – two couples and two solo travelers who don’t know each other yet, not even realizing they are sitting in the same place with people waiting for the same thing. Within minutes, they will embark on a fantastic week long adventure together.

We made introductions and got everybody settled in. It became immediately apparent that this group would have no trouble gelling. They jumped right into conversations with one another as we left Tortola and headed to Little Harbour, Peter Island. Will did the honors of swimming the stern line to shore – this ritual has become our kick off for SwimVacation trips, usually executed by Hopper or Will. Each has his own style.

Will swims the stern line to shore.

We always tie up in the same place within Little Harbour – a place with a sandy bottom where the water is an impossible shade of blue. We had planned to swim after lunch, but the water just looked so delicious that we couldn’t wait, and most of us jumped in for a quick and refreshing dip.

Lunch was a buffet of salads and boat baked bread. We ate and chatted and went over a plan for the week. We digested a while and prepared for our first swim. First swims are often tentative events – people enter cautiously, or hold back a little and really just get a feel for their new environment. Not this crew. They came to swim and that’s just what they did, right off the bat. We hugged the shoreline out to a point and back and covered just about 1.5 miles. Everyone was happy (case in point: I’d love to tell you what Jamie looks like, but so far all I’ve seen is a huge, white toothed grin).

Jamie comes up for air.

Back to the boat where some of us exchanged caps and goggles for fins and masks for a little snorkeling. We examined some little reefs and anemone covered rocks but mostly just reveled in being in this warm blue sea.

An exciting bit of news: during cocktail hour, Bob announced that Judy had just made the longest swim of her life. Right here in Little Harbour. Just like that. No worry, no stress, no build up or hesitation – she had jumped in and made the swim. As her guide, it looked to me like she’s been doing this all of her life.

Day one, major personal achievement. Check.

We’ve moved the boat now next door to Great Harbour where we’ll stay the night. I did a marine creature slide show and got everyone excited to see some wildlife. We had a fantastic dinner of tuna and pea pods and new friends were relaxed and easy with one another. Hours ago they were strangers. Tonight they are connected in a common purpose and a passion for the water. It’s just one of the special side effects of what we do.

11:20 pm. Everyone has gone to bed, resting up for our first full day. I’m excited to see what personal triumph will come tomorrow.

- Heather

Approaching St. Thomas

Ahhh. It feels like home away from home…

Kiss son goodbye (he’s happily playing with cousins which helps with the goodbye), husband drops me to Logan. I’m wrestling with bags and check in machines, frustrated, suddenly I hear “What are you doing?”. It’s Will! Hi Will! Meet Megan, we connect almost instantly and Will knows he’s doomed.

Fly to St. Thomas and I watch below as the water changes color over the hours. Storms spotting around the islands, we’re dodging the drops and slaloming clouds. Land, step out the door to that first hot, humid breath. Ahhhh.

On the ground in St. Thomas...oh no, perhaps I've brought the wrong shoes?

Standing in line for the loo, I’m behind repeat guest Alison for a full 5 minutes before either one of us realized it. “Hey you!” I hear. Big hug.

Alison and Ken are immediately immersed in an investigation into their missing bags, Will, Meg and I decide we have to rush to catch the last ferry to Tortola. We leave Alison and Ken with a plan, and climb to the open air deck. Hot. Windy. The ocean. So happy.

The sky is dramatic. We’re taking it in. We arrive in Tortola and Will misses the photo op of me checking in with immigration at a desk that is only 4 inches shorter than me (seriously, why does that desk have to be so high?). We set off on foot to Village Cay Marina and as we get closer to the dock I break into a run….I can’t wait to get on board and see my girls Kerry and Lisa…I leap from the dock to the boat deck and cannot believe my favorite swimming song is on the stereo (Swim Until You Can’t See Land – Frightened Rabbit – thanks Bill Drucis!) and out come Kerry & Lisa and we giggle and hug and cry and giggle and hug some more. Will and Meg are disgusted, but happy to be aboard.

Ferry ride to Tortola - so glad to be on the water.

So we’re here. We’ve moved in, we’ve poked around and looked at some of the shiny new items aboard, mostly cool technical things. We drink cocktails and Kerry whips up dinner and we clean up. Kerry surprises me with some bars of dark chocolate – she remembered! We’ve already settled into a nice rhythm of laughter and making fun of Will. It’s all working. We’ve made ourselves at home and now it feels like I never left.

We’re getting our ducks in a row, coming up with a plan and reminding ourselves to stay flexible. In my years of sporadic boat work, the greatest lesson I have learned is that living and working with the sea is an exercise in taking stock of what you have right now, and making the most of it.

Tonight I’ll sleep well – I always sleep best on a boat. Tomorrow we’ll sleep in a little, tidy up and get ready to welcome our guests. What a week they have ahead of them.

- Heather

Last week, pool swimming. This week, the Caribbean Sea.

Pool. Chlorine. Black line. Wall. Flip turn. Lane line, hair ball. Repeat.

Doesn’t sound very appealing, does it? How about this: Aqua blue fading to turquoise, salt and sun, coral reef. Circumnavigate Pelican Island, or swim across Little Harbor, or White Bay or heck, how about through the rock boulders at The Baths. Angel fish, bazillion silver sides, turtle. Warm towel, cocktail, sunset. Repeat? Repeat.

That’s what we’re headed for. See the guy in the picture up there? That’s Hopper, President and creator of SwimVacation, and you have him to thank for the brilliant week you have ahead of you. He won’t be with us this trip, but he knows better than anyone what makes swimming in the BVIs so special – too good not to share.

Open water swimming photographic studio in three bags. Just add water.

Packed up all that junk on the floor. Locked up the studio and headed for Massachusetts. In the morning I’ll meet Will and Megan at the airport and we’ll board and I’ll fight for the window seat. I love watching the water so far below graduate from steely gray, to dark green, to deep blue and eventually to aqua – a color that no matter how many times I see it, I still can’t believe when it comes into view. And all I can think is

Dive in.

For now, I’m curled up on the couch with husband and son in sister-in-law’s cozy living room. Nothing left to do but sleep. Rest well, swimmers. I’ll see you in the islands.

- Heather