Sisu Born from the Waves: How Sea Glass Reflects My Open Water Swimming Journey
Sea glass has become one of the most meaningful symbols in my life by the water. Those who know me well know how much of my life revolves around the water. As an open water swimmer, I spend countless hours training in oceans, bays, and lakes.
But there are days when the water doesn’t let me in. Strong winds, rough surf, or unsafe conditions keep me on shore.
On those days, I often walk along the beach searching for sea glass.
What started as a simple way to stay connected to the water has become one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy looking for the small, colorful pieces hidden among the sand and stones. Every piece feels unique, and each one reminds me of the incredible power of nature and the ocean.
The Story Behind Sea Glass
What fascinates me most is where sea glass begins.
Sea glass starts as something people throw away, a broken bottle or a sharp piece of glass. We give the ocean something damaged and unwanted. Then, over many years, the sea patiently works on it. With every wave, tide, and grain of sand, it slowly smooths the sharp edges, transforming them into something beautiful.
What was once trash becomes something people treasure.
To me, that feels like a gift from nature and a reminder of its quiet strength.
That is one reason why I love the water so much.
The Power of Water
Water appears calm, gentle, and transparent, but it is also powerful, resilient, and persistent. It can reshape coastlines, carve through rock, and transform broken glass into something entirely new.
Whenever I think about the Finnish concept of Sisu, the determination to keep moving forward through challenges, I see it reflected in the waves.
The ocean never rushes. It never gives up. It simply keeps moving forward.
What Sea Glass Taught Me About Open Water Swimming
In many ways, my own journey as an open water swimmer feels similar to the story of sea glass.
Long training sessions, cold water swims, early mornings, difficult races, and rough conditions have shaped me over time. None of those experiences were easy, but each one helped me become stronger, more confident, and more determined.
Every challenge leaves a mark. Every swim teaches a lesson.
I learn from it.
Whether I am training for a marathon swim, preparing for a channel crossing, or simply spending time by the ocean, I am constantly reminded that progress rarely happens all at once. Growth comes through consistency, patience, and perseverance.
Sisu, Sea Glass, and the Ocean
Every piece of sea glass I find is a reminder that growth takes time.
The ocean shapes the glass through patience and persistence, and in many ways, it has shaped me too.
What begins as something broken can become something beautiful.
What begins as a challenge can become a strength.
And what begins as a single wave can eventually change everything.