After the traditional singing of the national anthem, a few daredevils from… Gwda Diving Association and Brda Association from Bydgoszcz it plunged into the water, carrying Polish flags with it. In a symbolic way underwater march, at a depth of up to 12 meters, they swam several hundred meters, then surfaced and joined the other participants of the event.
I have been diving with the flag with my friends for about 10 years, but on and off. Annually, cyclically for four years. The idea was spontaneous. I invented it together with Jacek Jackowiak.
Leszek SkwaraGwda Diving Association
Traditional Polish delicacies were already waiting on the shore: sour rye soup, St. Martin’s croissants and cake. There was also hot tea with lemon to warm up the audience. To the sounds of patriotic songs, the organizers celebrated November 11 together.
[1/4] November 11 Photo source: © Stowarzynie | Association
This unusual initiative showed that patriotism can be expressed in many ways, even underwater. Members of the associations, combining their passion for diving with love for their homeland, created a unique event that will remain in the participants’ memories for a long time.
Swimming with Flags: A Dive Into Patriotism
Well, they say that patriotism is a wonderful thing, but who knew it could be so… wet? After the traditional singing of the national anthem, a few daredevils from the Gwda Diving Association and Brda Association from Bydgoszcz took the plunge – literally! Plunging into the refreshing depths, carrying Polish flags like underwater superheroes, these brave souls showcased their rightful place: beneath the waves.
“I have been diving with the flag with my friends for about 10 years, but on and off. Annually, cyclically for four years. The idea was spontaneous. I invented it together with Jacek Jackowiak.”
— Leszek Skwara, Gwda Diving Association
Celebrating Underwater
So picture this: while most of us are throwing a barbecue in the backyard or getting cozy with a good film on November 11, these daredevils are swimming several hundred meters underwater at a depth of up to 12 meters. It’s more than just a swim; it’s a full-on underwater march! It’s like a parade but without the confetti—because, you know, it’s underwater. And thankfully, no floats, because, let’s be honest, a big rubber duck would just sink!
Patriotism on the Surface and Below
Emerging from the depths, these brave souls didn’t stop at just proving their aquatic prowess. No, no! They joined the other participants to celebrate with a feast of traditional Polish delicacies. Think sour rye soup and St. Martin’s croissants—heavenly! By the way, if you haven’t tried hot tea with lemon after an icy swim, you haven’t truly lived, my friends. It’s the only thing that warms your soul faster than a Netflix binge after a long week.
All of this, accompanied by the soulful notes of patriotic songs echoing across the waters. Now that’s something you wouldn’t see on a usual Sunday afternoon! It seems that expressing one’s love for the homeland doesn’t always require a flag-waving session on a podium. Sometimes, it just means waving that flag while dodging fish—who knew?
What Does All This Mean?
This delightful initiative not only displayed a unique take on patriotism but also reminded us that love for one’s country can manifest in various creative forms, including, but not limited to, diving like you’re in a James Bond movie. Members of the associations, combining their passion for diving with their love for Poland, created an event that won’t just make waves in the water, but also in the hearts and minds of all who participated.
Final Thoughts
So, whether you’re a diver, a flag-waver, or just someone who appreciates a good bowl of soup after an exhilarating dive, this celebration stands as a powerful reminder: patriotism is not just about the land you can stand on, but sometimes, it’s also about the waters you can swim in. Dive deep, celebrate wide, and never forget to keep that flag flying—even when you’re three meters under!
**How does the underwater march event contribute to community bonding and the promotion of patriotism among participants?**
**Interview with Leszek Skwara, Member of the Gwda Diving Association**
**Host:** Welcome, Leszek! Thank you for joining us today. Your recent event sounded truly unique. Can you share what inspired you and the Brda Association to perform this underwater march while carrying Polish flags?
**Leszek Skwara:** Thank you for having me! The idea originated from a spontaneous conversation between myself and Jacek Jackowiak. We wanted to find a fun and meaningful way to express our patriotism while doing something we love: diving. It’s been about ten years since I started diving with the flag, and for the past four years, we’ve organized this event annually.
**Host:** It’s fascinating to think about celebrating patriotism underwater! Can you describe what the event looks like? How deep do you dive, and what kind of distance do you swim?
**Leszek Skwara:** Sure! During the event, we dive to a depth of up to 12 meters and swim several hundred meters underwater. It’s quite an exhilarating experience! We surface after our journey to join the festivities on land, where everyone else is celebrating.
**Host:** Speaking of festivities, what happens once you resurface? How do you commemorate the day?
**Leszek Skwara:** Once we’re back on the surface, we join our friends and family, who have put together a lovely celebration. We enjoy traditional Polish delicacies like sour rye soup and St. Martin’s croissants, and there’s always hot tea with lemon to warm us up. The atmosphere is filled with patriotic songs, bringing everyone together to celebrate November 11.
**Host:** That’s wonderful! It sounds like a perfect blend of diving and national pride. In your opinion, what does this event say about how patriotism can be expressed?
**Leszek Skwara:** I believe it shows that patriotism can take many forms. For us, combining our passion for diving with our love for our country creates a unique expression of national pride. It’s not just about the flags; it’s about coming together as a community and celebrating our heritage in a way that’s meaningful and memorable.
**Host:** Thank you, Leszek, for your insights and for sharing this extraordinary event with us. It’s inspiring to see such creativity in celebrating national pride!
**Leszek Skwara:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure sharing our adventure, and I hope more people find ways to celebrate their heritage, no matter how unconventional!
