Swimsuit Heroines: Meet the Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage!

This time of year, as we approach a fresh start and celebrate new beginnings, many folks begin to feel reflective. What were the highlights of the past year? What were the lows? And how can I improve myself in the future? It doesn’t matter who or what age you are—businesspeople, grandparents, college grads, and hopefuls of all ages contemplate their purpose in life during this time. But what if I told you that there are lots of ways you can make a difference in this world by doing something you are already passionate about? Just in time for the new year, I’ve got a shining example to share, of how passion knows no age or limits.

Let’s jet off to Cape Cod, where, if you look closely, you’re likely to discover a spunky group of old ladies who are making a difference in an unusual–but absolutely delightful–way!

Allow me to introduce you to OLAUG, or rather, Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage.

A cleanup effort like you’ve never seen before.

Since their conception in 2017, Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage have been diligently cleaning trash out of Cape Cod ponds. These clever women, ages 64 to 85 and counting, gather small teams of snorkeling swimmers who sweep along the shallows, diving for trash at the bottom of the ponds. Piece by piece, the garbage is then passed off to members on the surface in canoes or kayaks, who collect the undesirable items in a basket to be properly disposed of.

These women are not only passionate about saving the environment and preserving the natural beauty of the ponds. They are seriously organized! One swimmer will typically go ahead looking for snapping turtles and will guide the rest of the team around them.

According to their website, OLAUG has tremendous respect for the fish and wildlife in these natural spaces. By removing trash from ponds, they seek to channel the strength of older women and challenge others to see beyond limits, encouraging others to take action to preserve the environment.

While their work is a serious responsibility, they don’t take themselves too seriously!

Want to see these old ladies in action? Check out this fun (and short) little video by Monte Ladner. He spent an afternoon with the OLAUG crew and really captured the essence of what they are doing, in and out of the water.

How fun, right? These women sure know how to have a good time with garbage! Watching them harvest junk out of the water makes me even more excited for the ice to thaw so I can get out there and do the same!

I imagine that there is a “thrill of the hunt” element to their work that is really satisfying, too. I read somewhere recently that people love thrift shopping because it satisfies the primal urge to forage and gather. I’d be willing to bet that hunting for garbage has the same effect, and as a major bonus—it preserves the very environment that has been our sanctuary, our provider, and our home for millions of years.

And let’s not dismiss the health benefits of wild swimming! Scientific studies prove it is great for you in so many ways.

We’re not just talking trash here…

OLAUG co-founder, Susan Baur, is also a champion for water safety. As mentioned in the video, she does regular water testing for cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae, which can be harmful to children and pets. ² Thank you, Susan!

Furthermore, you can support OLAUG’s efforts by joining in on a cleanup, adding a pond to their list, and by donating to their cause here on their website.

I’d also like to add that you don’t need to be an official OLAUG member to contribute. Grab a friend with a Kayak and hit up a body of water near you!

“Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage’s great service is not just cleaning ponds, but spreading the joy that comes from being involved with nature and working to protect it.” – Susan Baur, OLAUG co-founder

Finding purpose and community in your own world.

In creating a little community for a common cause, the Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage have made a tremendous impact. And it all began with a hobby and a heartfelt drive to help.

If you’re seeking a way to better the world around you, I suggest first identifying what lights you up! Then, get curious about how you can use that natural interest to solve a problem you see before you. Others will follow suit, and before you know it, you’ve made a major difference—and you had fun doing it!

Next steps:

Get lots of rest this holiday season so you can start the new year with a fresh, curious mind, and some zest for the next chapter of your life. When you discover that thing that lights you up, jump on it! Passion is the number one ingredient in any purpose-driven success story.

And remember, it doesn’t matter how old you are, trying something new is almost always a good idea.

Keep dreaming, and notice the beauty around you!
~Renee

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