Saltwater Cure: True stories of the transformative power of the ocean

The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea. – Karen Blixen

The ocean is an icon of our summer vacations and a place of happy memories – and there's no wonder why. Swimming in and being near salt water has been shown to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, boost immunity and even slow the signs of aging. 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, the start of a lifelong environmental passion or a path to building community and escaping loneliness. Journalist Ali Gripper shares the experiences of people who have been transformed by the ocean, including author Tim Winton, surfer and blue-health advocate Layne Beachley, conservationist and underwater cinematographer Valerie Taylor, solo sailor Jessica Watson, First Nations scientist and dolphin-singer Chels Marshall, blind swimmer James Pittar, Swim Sisters founder Yusra Metwally and many others.

All speak honestly 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 and worthy of our protection – and it's where they feel most at home. Saltwater Cure reminds us of nature's restorative power and will inspire us all to preserve the beauty of our oceans for future generations to enjoy.

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).