Who has changed your life?

Carlos | Pōneke

Originally from Mexico, Carlos has been living in Pōneke for over 20 years. Through the ocean that connects his birthplace, Acapulco, with Aotearoa, he found a bond with his new home. It was his swimming teacher in Pōneke that allowed him to embrace that connection.

I would say that my swimming instructor. You know, like, of course, I was swimming in Mexico, you know, like a long time. And that was okay being in the sea, but I learned on my own over there, you know, you just go there and you swim, you know?

And then when I went to actual swimming lessons, going into the sea, was a totally different experience. My confidence grew, you know, and I’m very grateful for my teacher, you know, for changing my life in that way, like positively.

I always had the connection with the sea since I’m from Acapulco. You know, it’s a beach town. You know, so yeah, I mean, it’s gotten me closer because I feel like more connected. There is not the feeling of “oh my god,” you know, like tension or anxiety, no.

So yeah, I guess it has helped to like, really connect with the water. When I arrived in Wellington, that was the first thing that made me happy. You know, that we had the sea everywhere, we have beautiful coastline, you know, and I felt like I was somehow home.

And we share the Pacific Ocean, you know, you’re like, you cross the Pacific and you’re in Acapulco. It’s literally one line. You know, like this and you’re there.

So we are together with the ocean, doesn’t matter how big it is, but we are in the same water, you know. So yeah.