A special crossing
Maarten is sporty by nature, but he doesn’t consider himself a trained swimmer. “I never took swimming lessons, but I could always keep up quite well. In the past, I’ve done a few triathlons, so swimming has always been there a little bit.” What appealed to him about joining Swim4Brains? The full package, because the athletic challenge, the team spirit, and the social purpose all come together. “And of course, it’s something special to swim across the IJsselmeer. That seems incredibly cool to me, and the closer it gets, the more I’m convinced that it truly is.”
A better future
The motivation to participate didn’t just come from his sporting side. In Maarten’s circle, several people have been affected by brain disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and a concussion, and years ago, he himself suffered from meningitis. “A brain disorder has a huge impact on your life. How great is it that we can do sports? You don’t really think about how it feels when you can’t, because you may quickly get overstimulated or because your body can’t move the way you’d like it to.”
That feeling drives him to use his own sporting ambitions to contribute to a better future for others. “The idea that with Swim4Brains we are raising money for research and recovery makes it valuable. You motivate each other during training, but also to push our donation amount higher and higher. That gives a lot of energy.”
Taking the plunge
At the end of August, he will finally take the plunge. “I’m already looking forward to being together on the boat. Encouraging each other and using humor to get through the tougher moments. And let’s hope for some sunshine, not too many waves, and that the chafing spots won’t be too bad. Those can get really annoying and painful after a while. Either way, it’s going to be a beautiful day!”
Motivation
An important part of the preparation is, of course, packing the swim bag. And that includes more than just swimwear and a wetsuit—you also need to keep yourself entertained in the moments when you’re not in the water. “I have a feeling I’ll find a nice little drawing from my son and daughter in my swim bag. That will give me a lot of motivation,” Maarten says.
In just a few weeks, Swim4Brains will be over, and it will be time to wait for the next edition. Does Maarten have any tips for colleagues considering joining? “Just go for it! You’ll learn to swim well, you’ll contribute to a good cause, and you’ll do it together. Everyone can do it—even if you can’t swim a lap yet! And if you’re considering donating, remember that you’re not only supporting me in my challenge, but also supporting a cause that helps people in their recovery.”
