Saltwater Cure True Stories of the Transformative Power of the Ocean

Most people love the ocean – it's the icon of our summer vacations and a place of childhood memories – and there's no wonder why. Swimming in and being near the salt water has been shown to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, boost immunity and even slow the signs of ageing. But that's just the physical side.

Saltwater Cure draws on compelling, life-affirming stories about the healing power of the ocean – whether it be a balm for mental health, a comfort for an autistic child, a way to overcome trauma or a path to building community and escaping loneliness. Journalist and author Ali Gripper shares the stories of people who have been transformed by the ocean – experiences from the likes of conservationist and underwater cinematographer Valerie Taylor, solo sailor Jessica Watson, One Wave founder Grant Trebilco, Indigenous scientist Chels Marshall who sings to dolphins, blind swimmer James Pittar and many others.

All speak eloquently about the ocean's ability to not only provide solace and comfort, but to help them find strength in themselves and make the most of living connected to nature. The ocean, they all say, is one of our great treasures. It's the place that lifts them up, soothes them and where they feel most at home.

Ali Gripper has written features for Australia's leading newspapers and magazines over the past two decades for among others The Sydney Morning Herald, Good Weekend, The Australian, Daily Telegraph and Country Style. Her first book, The Barefoot Surgeon, about the Nepalese eye surgeon Dr Sanduk Ruit, was published by Allen & Unwin in 2018. It tells the story of a boy from a Himalayan village who, after being trained by the late Professor Fred Hollows, went on to restore sight to more than 130,000 people and who is on a mission to wipe out avoidable blindness throughout the world. An avid ocean swimmer, Ali lives in Sydney with her son (an avid surfer).

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