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!
What inspired Leszek Skwara to create an underwater patriotic celebration with the Gwda Diving Association?
**Interview with Leszek Skwara of the Gwda Diving Association**
**Host:** Welcome, Leszek Skwara! It’s great to have you here. Your recent event on November 11 sounded truly unique where divers celebrated patriotism by swimming with Polish flags. Can you tell us more about how this idea came to be?
**Leszek Skwara:** Thank you for having me! The idea was quite spontaneous. I’ve been diving with flags with friends for about ten years, but it has really evolved into this annual event over the last four years. I came up with the concept with Jacek Jackowiak. We wanted to find a special way to celebrate our country’s independence day, and this seemed like an exciting and meaningful approach.
**Host:** It certainly sounds exciting! How deep did you dive, and what was the atmosphere like underwater?
**Leszek Skwara:** We dove to depths of up to 12 meters and swam several hundred meters. It was a surreal experience—like an underwater march. There’s a certain camaraderie that develops among divers, and swimming with the flags made it feel even more special. We might not have confetti, but the spirit was vibrant and patriotic!
**Host:** I can only imagine! After surfacing, were there any celebrations on the surface too?
**Leszek Skwara:** Yes! Once we emerged, we joined everyone who was waiting on the shore. There were traditional Polish delicacies prepared—sour rye soup, St. Martin’s croissants, and cake. To warm up, we had hot tea with lemon. The sounds of patriotic songs accompanied our festivities, truly bringing everyone together.
**Host:** It’s wonderful how you combined diving, culture, and patriotism in such a unique way. What do you think this event says about how we can express patriotism in different forms?
**Leszek Skwara:** Absolutely, it shows that patriotism is not just about flags and parades; it can also be expressed through shared passions and community activities. This underwater march was a celebration of both our love for diving and our country, proving that there are many inventive ways to honour our heritage.
**Host:** I love that perspective! Thank you, Leszek, for sharing your experience with us. It’s always refreshing to hear about creative ways people come together to celebrate their country.
**Leszek Skwara:** Thank you for having me! It’s my pleasure to share this experience and hopefully inspire others to think of different ways to celebrate their own patriotism.
