Stories from the Water
Where land meets water, an invitation lingers—not just between elements, but between versions of yourself. You could remain on shore—where it's safe, familiar, predictable. Or you could cross into the unknown.
Stories from the Water is where we dive into the courage it takes to begin, the resilience that keeps us moving forward, and the wisdom that only emerges in the space between.
If you have ever stood at the edge of a body of water and wondered what it would be like to swim to the other side, you're in good company. Whether you're a seasoned swimmer, aspiring adventurer, or just someone intrigued by the water's mysterious pull, allow these stories to reveal what lies beneath the surface—not just of the water, but of ourselves.
Stories from the Water
Blaik Ogle's Marathon Swim Story
This stormy Knoxville morning, we chatted with the founder of Bridges to Bluffs, Knoxville Open Water Swimmers, and marathon swimmer himself, Blaik Ogle. Quick to dismiss his accomplishments, Blaik focused the conversation on building community in Knoxville, but I got him to tell us a little bit about tackling the cold, not taking no for an answer, and getting stuck in a tree on a birthday swim.
In his own words: I am 40 years old and I live in Knoxville, Tennessee. I'm the co-founder of the Knoxville Open Water Swimmers and Co-founder/Director Bridges to Bluffs Open Water Swim.
Prior to the pandemic I was training for SCAR and Catalina. Now I spend my time cross training with heavy weights - both to be faster in the water and survive the “Real Life Hunger Games .... Southern States Coronavirus, Global Warming, and Systemic Racism Edition.”
I enjoy cold water swims, introducing new open water swimmers to year round/ distance/ night swimming, beagles, breakfast burritos, and dismantling the patriarchy of systemic racism with my white privilege and hillbilly accent.
Goals: Keeping “Bridges to Bluffs” on track to become the “Boston Marathon of Marathon Swimming” as well as creating new and “affordable” opportunities for the marathon swim community.
If you'd like to be a guest on Marathon Swim Stories, mailto:shannon@intrepidwater.com
Stay in touch by joining our email list at http://intrepidwater.com
Music credit:
Epic Inspiration by Rafael Krux
Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5447-epic-inspiration-
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Swimming sounds courtesy of swimmer Todd Lantry.
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