22 kilometers of open water. Straight across the IJsselmeer.
Wind. Waves. Hours of swimming. Coach by your side. Skipper ahead. Team around you. Together to the other side.
This is the challenge you train for for months. The story that will never let you go.
Sander Pluijm – initiatiefnemer Swim4Brains - besloot na een jaar van intensieve mantelzorg dat er meer aandacht, begrip en geld voor onderzoek moest komen voor Niet-Aangeboren-Hersenaandoeningen (NAH). ’Ik zag dat wij niet de enige waren. In mijn sportvriendenclub bleek bijna iedereen wel een ouder, schoonouder of ander familielid te hebben met Parkinson, Dementie, een beroerte of de ernstige gevolgen van een valpartij met fiets. In veel gevallen bestaat er nog geen behandeling die zo’n aandoening kan stoppen of vertragen. Leren omgaan met de gevolgen is dan vaak de enige optie. Samen besloten we daarom iets te doen: een sportieve challenge. Maar dan wel één die symbool staat voor de zware uitdagingen die NAH met zich meebrengt.’
Daarom zwemmen wij van Stavoren naar Medemblik, 22 kilometer het IJsselmeer over. Ten bate van de Hersenstichting. Want meer onderzoek om hersenaandoeningen te voorkomen, behandelen en mensen weer mee te laten doen in de maatschappij is heel hard nodig! We zwemmen voor een gezond brein!
Zo werd Swim4Brains geboren.
En dus zwommen we in de zomer van 2024 met 19 sportgekken en 10 coaches van Stavoren naar Medemblik, begeleid door een geweldige groep zeilers. Helaas sloeg het weer om en moesten we de strijd na 14 kilometer staken. De teleurstelling was groot. Maar maakte al snel plaats voor trots toen we besloten de laatste kilometer onder rustiger omstandigheden zwemmend af te leggen de haven in. Een hartverwarmende ontvangst door familie en vrienden maakte veel goed. En toen bleek dat de donatieteller voor de Hersenstichting op 61.000,- was gekomen, was de blijheid groot.
Within a month of each other, Sander's father and father-in-law both suffered a major brain hemorrhage. The impact on the lives of the two cheerful retirees was enormous. Their lives were completely turned upside down. The simplest tasks suddenly became terribly difficult. From tying their shoes and operating the telephone to following a conversation. Yet, on the outside, you can hardly see anything wrong with them, and they feel misunderstood. Life was also suddenly turned completely upside down for both families.
Sander Pluijm – initiator of Swim4Brains - decided after a year of intensive caregiving that there needed to be more attention, understanding, and money for research into Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI). 'I saw that we were not the only ones. In my sports club, almost everyone turned out to have a parent, parent-in-law, or other family member with Parkinson's, Dementia, a stroke, or the severe consequences of a bicycle fall. In many cases, there is still no treatment that can stop or slow down such a condition. Learning to cope with the consequences is then often the only option. Together, we therefore decided to do something: a sporting challenge. But one that symbolises the heavy challenges that ABI brings with it.'
That is why we are swimming from Stavoren to Medemblik, 22 kilometres across the IJsselmeer. For the benefit of the Brain Foundation (Hersenstichting). Because more research to prevent and treat brain disorders, and to help people participate in society again, is desperately needed! We swim for a healthy brain!
Thus Swim4Brains was born.
And so, in the summer of 2024, we swam from Stavoren to Medemblik with 19 sports enthusiasts and 10 coaches, accompanied by a wonderful group of sailors. Unfortunately, the weather turned, and we had to abandon the effort after 14 kilometres. The disappointment was huge. But it quickly gave way to pride when we decided to swim the last kilometre into the harbour under calmer conditions. A heartwarming reception by family and friends made up for a lot. And when it turned out that the donation counter for the Brain Foundation had reached 61,000 euros, the joy was immense.
This year we are back. Unfinished business for many swimmers. And to continue building a sustainable event together to raise awareness and funds for the Brain Foundation, because it is urgently needed!
