The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the planning of vacationing Canadians this summer and this has not spared many around the world.
For fourth year swimmer Guy Harrison-Murray who calls Perth, Australia home, the idea of traveling beyond his home country is restricted by Australia's action against COVID-19.
Guy had originally hoped for a summer job with KPMG but with layoffs in place for most of the workforce in May and onward, Guy focused on his honour thesis and training for the coming AUS swim season.
Living in Western Australia, Guy was able to access a training program, a coach – Will Scott, a gym and access to sport scientists and physio treatment with the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS).
Limited to the vast island country of Australia, Guy has made the most of it, vacationing with his family up the west coast of the country.
"It's been enjoyable as I hadn't seen my family for 18 months prior to returning home this past March, so it's been nice to go on holiday with them and explore our own backyard a bit," noted Harrison-Murray.
A video was circulated on Guy's Instagram account over a month ago, showing a video recording of a shark underwater and was taken in a place aptly named Sharks Bay. Six hours north of Perth, Guy was free diving with the sharks. Unfortunately, the swells were close to three meters which made scuba diving impossible.
"I've been lucky enough to dive with dolphins, manta rays, turtles, sting rays and I've seen whales, dugongs and dolphins from the boat. I've been scuba diving for a while now, I learnt to first scuba dive when I was 8, which I don't think you're allowed to do anymore and I think you have to be 12. Without a doubt the best diving I've done is either here on the north west coast of Australia or in the South Pacific," said Harrison-Murray.
Guy has been free diving for approximately four years and was introduced to it when a professional free diver came in and did some breath work with his swim team when he was based out of the east coast of Australia.
"I really enjoy the freedom and mobility of free diving and found I took to it quite naturally with the breath-hold work and haven't looked back since," added Guy.
The video posted Harrison-Murray on July 7 shows a large shark swimming near him during his free dive. The shark comes as close as several metres and turns away.
Completing the process of returning to Wolfville with quarantining in Ottawa with teammate Josh Nowlan's family and now in Wolfville, Guy is looking forward to the 2020-21 season.
"I'm really excited about returning and I'm so happy that Acadia has found a way to have us back in person in some way or another. I think what makes Acadia so special is its personal interactions and relationships that students build with professors, coaches and the locals, so having us back this September is fantastic news", said Harrison-Murray.
Harrison-Murray is now in Wolfville where he is almost completed his third 14 days since April. He was able to leave Australia to return to Canada since he had a valid student visa.
"I'm really lucky to have built great friendships in Canada and will be quarantining with my teammate and close friend Josh Nowlan. His family has been really great to me over these few years and this again just shows how incredible and selfless they are," added Harrison-Murray.
"I'm so happy that I'm able to get back into Canada and as much, I'm looking forward to starting my final year at Acadia. I almost wish I was starting my first year," concluded Harrison-Murray.
Interview with Guy Harrison-Murray on The Quarantine Chronicles