A Mother’s Day Gift for the Ocean-Loving Mum
Finding my therapy in the water and the perfect cozy companion for beach swims.
Motherhood is beautiful, and it can also be intense. Between playdates, work, laundry, and caring for everyone around us, many mums forget to make time for themselves.
For me, that time has always been exercise, specially swimming.
This Mother’s Day, I wanted to share a personal story about how swimming became my therapy — and why our new Adult Hooded Beach Towels are such a thoughtful gift for mums who love the ocean.
From Tennis Courts in Colombia to Ocean Pools in Sydney
I grew up in Colombia playing tennis. I started at the age of nine and continued until I moved to Australia.
Swimming, however, was never really a sport we practiced seriously back home. For most of us in Colombia, swimming meant holidays, hotel pools, and relaxing by the water rather than doing proper laps or training.
Everything changed when a friend invited me to swim at the beautiful Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre.
That day I realised something surprising:
I didn’t really know how to swim properly.
Swimming wasn’t just about moving your arms and legs. It was about breathing technique, rhythm, and endurance.
So I started slowly.
Lap by lap.
Discovering Sydney’s Incredible Swimming Pools
One of the things I love most about Sydney is its incredible swimming culture.
Soon I started exploring different pools across the city.
I fell in love with the stunning harbour views at Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool. Arriving before sunrise and watching the Harbour Bridge light up while swimming laps became one of my favourite rituals.
After work, I often swam at Cook + Phillip Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre near Hyde Park.
On weekends, I visited the beautiful North Sydney Olympic Pool.
But then I discovered one of Sydney’s most iconic places: Bondi Icebergs Pool
Falling in Love with Ocean Swimming
The first time I swam at Bondi Icebergs Pool I completely fell in love with ocean pools.
Swimming there felt different.
The cold saltwater.
The sound of the waves.
The fresh ocean air.
I started swimming longer sessions — sometimes 50 laps — and I felt incredible afterwards.
It became hard to return to indoor chlorine pools after that.
Sydney’s Rock Pools Are Pure Magic
Soon my curiosity grew and I started discovering the beautiful rock pools around Sydney.
In my opinion, Sydney has some of the most spectacular rock pools in the world — many of them free and open all day (unless they are closed for cleaning).
Some of my absolute favourites are:
Swimming in cold salt water at sunrise quickly became my therapy.
(Photo: Bronte Swimming Pool at 6am in Winter)
Autumn and winter sunrises are some of the most beautiful moments nature can offer. Watching the sky change colours while swimming in a rock pool is something I will never take for granted.
As a full-time mum, these quiet moments became incredibly important for my wellbeing.
The Power of Swimming Communities
Along the way I also discovered something Australians do incredibly well: swimming communities and ocean swim events.
I joined a wonderful group called Bondi Ocean Surf Swim Squad, where I met passionate swimmers who shared the same love for the ocean.
Through the group I signed up for my first ocean swim race — the Coogee Island Challenge.
It was challenging, exciting, and empowering.
I’m really looking forward to getting back into ocean swims again soon.
Post-Swim Rituals: Coffee, Friends and Warming Up
After ocean swims we often went for breakfast together at iconic Bondi spots like Speedos Cafe or Bondi Pavilion.
But there was one thing I started noticing at every swim event.
A lot of swimmers had a hooded beach poncho.
And once I started using one myself, I realised why.
Why Hooded Beach Towels Are a Swimmer’s Best Friend
When you step out of cold ocean water, especially during early mornings or winter swims, you want something that:
- Keeps you warm immediately
- Helps you dry quickly
- Allows you to change easily
- Feels cozy and comfortable
A hooded beach towel does exactly that.
During ocean swims it became one of my most essential items — before swimming, after swimming, and even during post-swim coffees with friends.
The Perfect Mother’s Day Gift for Ocean-Loving Mums
This is exactly why we created our new Tolu Australia adult hooded beach towels.
They are designed for:
- Ocean swimmers
- Surfer mums
- Beach-loving mums
- Anyone who enjoys sunrise swims or salty adventures
They keep you warm, cozy and dry between swims and make beach days even more enjoyable.
But more importantly, they support something every mum deserves:
Time for herself.
A hobby that keeps her happy, healthy, and connected to nature.
Celebrate the Mum Who Loves the Ocean
If you have a mum, partner, grandma or friend who loves the ocean, consider gifting something she will truly use and appreciate.
A gift that supports her passion.
A gift that keeps her warm after those beautiful sunrise swims.
And if she’s anything like me, she’ll treasure those peaceful moments in the water even more.
Because sometimes the best therapy for a busy mum is simply this:
Salt water, sunrise… and a little time for herself.
With Love, Lili xx