Beyond the Finish Line: The Thrill of Open Water Swimming – Part 2
Some of us discover swimming when we’re not even looking for it. This was the case with Serena Legg, who shares her swim-journey from beginner to participant in the 2025 North Shore Swim Series.
Name: Serena Legg
Location: Makakilo
Occupation: Non-profit founder, Longnecks Robotics
Bio: Serena Legg is a military spouse and mother of two. She left the workforce to homeschool her children and operate her non-profit, Longnecks Robotics. This year, she made the decision to put her sedentary life behind her in pursuit of an active, healthier lifestyle for her and her family. These days, you’ll catch her making the most of her time on O’ahu; either at the beach, hiking, or in the water.
Favorite Swim Memory: Turning the final buoy in my first swim race and hearing over the loud speaker “you did it”. Then, sobbing into my goggles all the way to the shore.
How long have you been a swimmer and what is your earliest memory of ocean swimming in Hawaii?
Unlike many swimmies on island, I didn’t grow up on a swim team and never had formal training for pool swimming – let alone swimming in the open water! My first time swimming laps in the ocean was nerve-wracking. A little fear crept in because I was alone, didn’t know what was in the water around me, which direction I was going or even how to stroke correctly. Thankfully I started asking around and found out about Waikiki Swim Club and Lahui ‘Aukai, so never have to swim alone again! My first swim with Lahui ‘Aukai changed my life, and I fell in love with open water swimming that day.
The North Shore Swim Series recently celebrated itʻs 36th year in operation. What do you think is the appeal of these swims that have kept them going for nearly 40 years?
I came across an event page for the NSSS when searching for 5k fun runs around the island. I watched some videos from previous years and immediately was drawn to the community aspect of this series. Seeing so many people from varying backgrounds and experience levels drew me in. I love to swim in pools and spend time in the ocean, but had no idea that open water swimming was even a “thing”. The way NSSS swimmers encouraged and supported one another gave me the confidence I needed to adventure into this world.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in participating in the series for the first time?
You have to jump in the water. Start by just jumping in and doing it. Swim poorly, do it wrong, but just do it. As with learning any new skill, you ought to surround yourself with people who do it better than you. Just show up to events and swim practices and ask questions to the experts. Be open to feedback from others and listen to their wisdom. Keep showing up, keep trying.
The series has become an annual North Shore tradition amongst the open water community. What role do you feel the community plays in upholding this tradition each summer?
The entire program feels as though it is built on community. I’ve never been in a space where people are so supportive of one another. We cheer each other on, encourage and challenge each other. When I felt I wasn’t ready to take on the second swim in the series, my swimmer friends rallied around me and gave me the confidence I needed to challenge myself. My story is not unique, but is shared across the community. The culture is how NSSS delivers life changing experiences year after year.
Let’s not forget the impact this series has on the younger generations who inherit this tradition. My husband has been deployed, so our children are dragged along to every practice, every race, and they see me. They are watching us push ourselves and love what we’re pursuing. My kids watched me start from the bottom, with no idea of what I was doing doing, to finishing a mile long swim race among 500+ other swimmers. They watched their previously very overweight and unhealthy mother train through sweat and tears, and eventually cross the finish line with the greatest sense of pride and achievement on my face and in my heart. They will carry that with them, and hopefully choose to train for these swim races themselves for years to come.
“When I felt I wasn’t ready to take on the second swim in the series, my swimmer friends rallied around me and gave me the confidence I needed to challenge myself.”
How do you prepare yourself for the series each year? Any tips or tricks youʻd like to share?
This was my very first year and I prepared by showing up to practices, swim clinics and nourishing my body well the week before races. If I wasn’t able to make swim sessions, I found time to practice at a pool or beach on off days.
What is the most challenging AND most rewarding part of swimming in the North Shore Swim Series?
Swimming takes mental fortitude. We train our bodies for endurance but we must also train our minds. When you’re in the water, there’s no sitting on the curb for a break or cranking up your headphones to tune out the suffering. When you’re in the ocean, it’s just you and your thoughts (unless you dish out a ton of money for those fancy underwater headphones). You must have the mental strength to push yourself thru the waves to the finish line. The reward? Instead of staring at a black line at the bottom of a pool, you get the most beautiful and majestic views on this planet. It’s easy to maintain a heart of gratitude in your weakest moments when you see the magnificent Hawaiian reef below you. The occasional glimpse of the beautiful marine life is reward enough. The experience overall has been life changing for me. Swimming in the breathtaking clear waters of O’ahu, pushing my body past its limits, surrounded by like-minded, extraordinary people – that alters your brain chemistry! I’m forever grateful to NSSS for this experience.
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About the North Shore Swim Series:
A nearly 40-year tradition held each summer on the North Shore of Oʻahu, the storied North Shore Swim Series, recently concluded its 36th year in operation. Considered one of the top 100 open water swimming events in the country, the series draws a combined total of nearly 2,000 athletes each year who wish to test their endurance against the progressively longer courses ranging in distances from 1-mile to 2.3-miles. Set against the backdrop of the North Shoreʻs iconic 7-mile miracle, participants have the opportunity to witness Hawaiiʻs beautiful coastline, crystal blue waters, & a variety of sea life ranging from Spinner Dolphins to the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle, while they contend with ocean currents, mass starts, and strategic navigation.
Photos courtesy of Jade Reeves Photography
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