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 do participants and spectators typically respond to the Gwda Diving Association’s underwater marches, and what does it mean for community engagement?
**Interview with Leszek Skwara of the Gwda Diving Association**
**Interviewer:** Leszek, thank you for joining us today. Your recent underwater event on November 11 was quite remarkable! Can you tell us what inspired you and your team at the Gwda Diving Association to celebrate patriotism in such a unique way?
**Leszek Skwara:** Thank you for having me! The idea was actually quite spontaneous. I’ve been diving with the Polish flag for about 10 years—on and off, but we’ve been doing this specific event annually for the last four years. I came up with the concept together with Jacek Jackowiak, and we wanted to find a way to express our love for our country while doing something we are passionate about: diving.
**Interviewer:** That sounds incredible! How did the day unfold? What did participants experience during the underwater march?
**Leszek Skwara:** It was a fantastic experience! We started with the traditional singing of the national anthem, setting a patriotic tone. Then, we plunged into the water, carrying Polish flags. We swam several hundred meters at a depth of up to 12 meters. It felt like an underwater parade, celebrating our heritage and unity in a profound way.
**Interviewer:** A parade underwater! That’s quite a visual! What kind of reactions did you get from participants and spectators?
**Leszek Skwara:** The reactions were overwhelmingly positive! Those watching on the shore were very supportive, and we received a lot of cheers when we surfaced. It’s not something you see every day, and it really brought people together. After the dive, we had traditional Polish delicacies waiting for us—like sour rye soup and St. Martin’s croissants—which was a nice way to warm up and celebrate together over hot tea and patriotic songs.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a wonderful community event. What message do you hope to convey through this initiative?
**Leszek Skwara:** Our primary message is that patriotism can be expressed in many creative ways, even underwater. It’s a celebration of our culture, history, and shared passion. We wanted to show that diving and love for our homeland can go hand in hand, and I believe we succeeded in creating lasting memories for everyone involved.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Leszek, for sharing your experience and insights with us. It’s inspiring to see such passion for both diving and patriotism!
**Leszek Skwara:** Thank you! It was a pleasure to share our story. We look forward to many more years of this tradition!