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 ⁤event organized by the Gwda Diving Association foster a sense of community among participants?

**Interview with Leszek Skwara, Member of the⁣ Gwda Diving Association**

**Host:** Welcome to our program, Leszek!⁤ It’s fantastic to have you here to discuss the unique ⁢event you ⁤organized this year‌ on November 11, where divers from the Gwda Diving Association and Brda ‌Association celebrated Polish patriotism underwater. Can you tell us a bit about how this⁤ idea ‌came about?

**Leszek​ Skwara:**⁢ Thank you for⁣ having me! The idea was quite spontaneous. I have been ⁢diving ⁢with the flag ⁢for about ten years, but it ⁢was‌ only in the ‌last⁤ four years that⁢ we turned it into a regular event. I conceptualized ​it with my friend Jacek Jackowiak. ⁢We thought, why not combine our⁤ passion for ⁣diving ‌with a celebration of our national pride? So,⁢ we dove in with Polish flags, literally taking our patriotism underwater.

**Host:** That sounds incredible! How ⁤deep did you dive, and what was ⁤the experience like to swim with the flags?

**Leszek Skwara:** We dove to‍ a depth of ⁤about 12‌ meters, swimming several hundred meters underwater. It was an amazing experience—almost surreal to be gliding through the water while holding our national flags. The challenge​ is that you need to ensure the flags remain visible and ‌don’t get tangled. It’s hard ⁣work, but the sense of unity and pride you feel down there makes it all ⁣worthwhile.

**Host:** That truly sounds like a special way to express patriotism! After such a daring plunge,‌ what did you have planned on the surface?

**Leszek Skwara:** Once we surfaced, we ⁢joined the rest‍ of ⁢the participants who were celebrating on the shore.‌ There⁣ were traditional Polish ⁣delicacies like sour rye soup, St. Martin’s ⁤croissants, and‍ cake. We also had hot ‍tea with lemon to warm everyone up, as it was a chilly day. All this was set against the backdrop⁢ of patriotic songs, which created ‌a very festive atmosphere.

**Host:** It must’ve been quite the‌ sight to see divers celebrating patriotism in such a unique way. What do you hope participants take away from this event?

**Leszek Skwara:** I hope they see that patriotism can take many forms, even underwater. Our event is not just about diving; it’s about⁤ bringing people together, celebrating our heritage, and fostering a​ sense of belonging within the community. Plus, it shows that you can express your love for ⁢the country in⁤ creative and unexpected ways.

**Host:** Thank you, Leszek,⁣ for sharing your ⁣experience with‍ us! It’s inspiring to⁣ see how you and your fellow divers bring ‍such creativity and passion to celebrating national pride.

**Leszek Skwara:** Thank you! It ⁣was a pleasure to share our story, and I⁣ encourage‍ everyone to explore ⁤their own unique ​ways ⁤of expressing their⁣ love for their country.

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This ⁣interview ⁤encapsulates the spirit of the‍ event, ‌showcasing how traditional pride can blend​ with‍ adventurous activities to create memorable experiences.