At 11:19, it was 13 °C in Delnice. Mountain air and the beginning of autumn.
At 11:57 in Kostrena — 25 °C. Sea air and the end of summer.

Almost every morning this summer, I swam 600 to 800 metres. But why am I sharing this today? Because of a personal record: I had never swum in the sea on 27 September before.

After my swim, I sat on the terrace I had enjoyed all summer. The same view of the sea, but already a different feeling of the season.

At Gorski centar in Delnice, I want to turn precisely this contrast between mountain and sea air, climate and atmosphere into an experience of health: mountains and sea, rest and activity, familiar habits and something we are only just daring to try.

The Marine & Alpine Asthma Club grew out of this idea.

Swimming and walking. Sailing and skiing. For people whose asthma or age makes them more cautious about their plans, but who want to reconsider what is possible for them — at their own pace, with preparation and support.

Today, only 38 minutes passed between a mountain morning and a swim in the sea.

The journey towards self-confidence can take longer. That is why it deserves space.

Marijan Gjukić

P.S. Both locations are in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, Croatia. I have permission to share the photo. Thank you to the entire team at Mosquito Bar Kostrena for a summer of inspiration over coffee. I haven’t asked the team at Caffe Bar Tin in Delnice whether I could mention them here, but they deserve a thank-you too!