Open Water

Abstract

For my dissertation, I have chosen to write a Creative Nonfiction Memoir entitled Open Water. This work centers around the character of my mother, who, at the age of fifty four decided to tackle a grueling 25K (15.5mile) race, and dragged me into the experience as her swimming coach. As I began to tackle the project, I realized that I was dealing with two interwoven narratives: the narrative of the family, shifting and changing to accommodate my mother’s needs, and the ubiquitous “sports” narrative, the narrative of her athletic tribulations, trials and setbacks in the pursuit of her athletic goals. This is a work about the struggles that my family faced while supporting my mother in her open water swimming career.