The only sport I have ever loved is eating. The only other sport that has come close to food is deep water aqua aerobics. I first joined it in 2018 upon the insistence of a doctor for shoulder pain. I still remember my very first day in class. I came out with mixed feelings. One, I was the youngest participant. The rest of the class looked like there was a age limit I forgot to adhere to. Mostly women over 55. And the oldest participant 78. The worst part, they were much fitter than me in water.

I spent the first three months struggling to balance myself with weights under water. With a muffin top and zero strength training, either my water dumbles or my body would fly up like a dolphin. Top that up with the inferiority complex of not being able to move at all for some of the workouts while the rest of the class would swim away like mermaids. I tried it all. Applying pressure. Kicking super fast. Losing an imaginary race that others had no clue about. I remember trying really hard. There were some exercises that came to me easy. And some that took a long, long time. As a positive side effect, my shoulder pain vanished. And I started liking the idea of working out in a 2 meter deep pool with a group that inspired me. The cool temperature of the water, the rigour of learning something new and being part of a group that had undergone a fair share of pain seemed to inspire me. Most women had undergone some surgery or health procedure that rendered them helpless in a gym or outdoor setting. That’s where water came to rescue.

There were women in stylish bathing suits. There were those with purple coloured hair. There were the snooty ones who wouldn’t socialise. And there were the most social ones, joking all the way. With time, I learned to focus on myself and my craft, not compete. The minute I shifted my mindset and began following instructions of the coach regarding techniques, my skill began to improve. And with new learning came a happy mood. As time passed me by, the class composition changed. It is 2025 and my coach looks just as young as she did in 2018. But we now have a more mixed and vibrant group. More young blood post COVID.

And the tables have turned. I am no more the youngest on the group. I am pretty good with most of the workouts. And I see newbies in my shoes from ages ago. Participants who try to learn it all at one go. I wish to tell them it takes time. It takes looking within and adding focus on tips by the coach. But I refrain from doing so, unless asked. I believe we are all on a journey. And sooner or later, we will find our way.

P.S. I have always drawn inspiration from the numerous course mates I have. Sometimes we have lunch together after class. That’s when you get to know other people’s stories. And no matter what, people are the same everywhere. Everyone starts with the last position on that imaginary race. Everyone wants to learn tricks of the trade on day1. And everyone is looking to be the best at what they do. The trick lies in getting to know yourself and your pace. And most importantly, having fun and making friends along the way.