The Sea - For The JAM Collective

The Sea has always been a bit mysterious to me.

The first beach I ever went to was a D-Day landing beach.

To me, it has always been associated with death, strange happenings, and unruliness.

Tiresome Ted. Cockle collectors. Aceh. Pirates.

Have you ever seen where fire meets the sea?

I enjoy spotting it for the first time.

'I can see the sea.'

Always observed it from a distance. Just where the tide last came in and no further. Cramond beach crossing, no thanks. Never a place I would holiday.

Water once broke me too. 2 and a half vertebrae loathe water.

Even taking showers are hard.

I decided it was time to get over myself.

And last year I dunked my head under the warm water, for the first time, on Pismo Beach. Califonia water.

I was overwhelmed. I felt connected to the earth in a way I hadn't experienced before. The current took me and shook me. I was on edge the whole time. Never fully comfortable.

I have not returned to water since.

I crave that uncomfortable feeling I felt before.

I want to know how cold it is.

How deep it is.

How far I can go.

Scottish water is different from Califonia water.

I want a boogie board.

I want to swim with all my might.

I want to shake cold.

So, we should drive until the road runs out. Where beach-side parking is free all over the world, except here.

Pitch up. Get cold feet. Buy a Callippo. Think about it. Then.

Just fucking cane it, head first.

Into that unwashed water.

I will need to wear goggles. And have a whistle, in case of danger. Or a tiger jumps onto my boogie board.

I want to swim in the Scottish water.