Could your entry to the Cole Classic swim this year be part of a fresh start?
By reflecting on how the event fits into your long-term goals, you can ensure that the benefits of this one-day event extend far beyond the day itself.
When the Cole Classic was first held in 1983, just 101 swimmers participated. But over 5000 swimmers have signed up this year, making the Cole Classic the world’s biggest ocean swim!
Not only is the event an enjoyable experience, allowing participants to test their fitness levels while also supporting their communities through fundraising and meeting like-minded friends, but it can also be the kickstart we all need to start thinking about our physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
So, how can we apply the factors that make the Cole Classic unique more broadly into our lives?
How the Cole Classic can kickstart your wellbeing journey in 2025
In the words of Graham Cole, the co-founder of the event:
“The event is not a race but a challenge to all persons to stretch themselves in body and mind to swim a reasonable distance through the surf. It will, I hope, be an incentive for people to involve themselves in the self-discipline required to get fit, obtain confidence in their ability through swimming, to achieve pride in having performed something that is, perhaps, slightly above average.”
So, to help you make the most of your swim this year and use your journey towards the Cole Classic to help motivate you towards long-term wellness, here are a few things you can think about:
Take advantage of a fresh start
As we turn the page into 2025, many of us will reflect upon the months gone by.
Fresh starts provide a clean break from the past, so dates like the new year are natural times to undertake change and pursue new goals.
Fresh starts increase your motivation to change because they even give you a clean slate – or at least the impression of one – allowing you to relegate your failures to the past and boost your optimism about the future. They can also disrupt bad habits and lead you to think about the bigger picture of your future.
Small changes make a huge difference over time
Good health and well-being are the outcome of the small, intentional actions we take each day.
Unfortunately, many fail because they set goals that are too big and will inevitably become unachievable. When we fail to see progress or feel too overwhelmed by the challenge, then we give up.
So, to increase your chance of achieving your goals, we recommend setting them just on the edge of your ability – they can be challenging but ultimately realistic to achieve, so we stay positive as we work towards them.
Break down big goals into smaller sub-goals and processes
Breaking down goals into smaller sub-goals can also help make them more achievable.
For example, if your aim is to become a better ocean swimmer (and indirectly increase your health and wellbeing), then the sub-goal is for us to complete the Cole Classic successfully. This will provide evidence that we’re on track. Swimming the Cole Classic is a significant milestone that indicates the path towards success and the trajectory towards becoming a better swimmer.
So, to help you achieve your sub-goals, start by creating systems that will make it easier to achieve them. For example, pack everything you need for a morning swim the night before to help you stay motivated in the morning.
Don’t be discouraged when pursuing a new goal feels hard
Remember that when pursuing a new goal, there are times when it’s going to feel really challenging. At first, there is often no feedback to suggest we are on track; small changes usually appear to make no difference until you cross a critical threshold and see your progress.
Without feedback, it can be hard to persevere.
Because small changes are not always noticeable, tracking your progress in activities that move you closer to your desired goals is essential to staying motivated. For instance, you could track your progress using a smartwatch app or habit change tracker to show how many days a week you have been training towards the Cole Classic.
Build a community of like-minded people
Swimming the Cole Classic is an excellent way to meet like-minded people.
Training with others boosts our social wellbeing and helps us show up and do the work – even when we don’t feel like it! On gloomy days with rough seas or cold water, being connected to others can profoundly affect our stress levels and ability to move forward.
So, if possible, find a supportive group of people you can swim regularly with and encourage each other to stay accountable. The right friends can determine your success and motivate you to obtain goals you likely would not achieve alone.
Explore multiple pathways
Remember, there are always multiple ways to achieve your goals; if the ideal route isn’t available, be creative and curious about finding a new one. After all, moving slowly toward your goals will still get you closer to achieving them!
If you want to get better at ocean swimming, then swimming in the sea is probably the first choice. However, not all of us live at the beach (as great as would be if we did)!
Embrace the bigger picture
Events like the Cole Classic also allow us to feel like we’re part of something bigger, which has a tremendous effect on our well-being.
It’s not only the world’s largest open swimming event but also a significant fundraiser for those in need, allowing participants to raise money and give back to the broader community.
Many of the lifeguards and staff you’ll see on the day are volunteers, with hundreds of people signing up to ensure the event runs smoothly. The event is a wonderful reminder of what people can achieve when they come together, both in terms of the swimmers taking part and everyone working hard to make it happen.