Photo: Baba’s triathlon training programme includes, for example, swimming legs of roughly 2 km around the islands of Helsinki.

For Baba Lybeck, who lives with her family in Suomenlinna and lists sailing and triathlon as her hobbies, the Baltic Sea has always been close to her heart. Baba has been one of the lead organisers and supporters of the WWF swim for the Saimaa ringed seal. In 2015, Baba joined the forces of the John Nurminen Foundation’s fundraising campaign, ‘Save a piece of the Baltic Sea’, launched at the Helsinki International Boat Show. The Baltic Sea is the next main project for the sea-loving Baba, and she intends to devote increasing amounts of her own time to it in the years to come.  Pro Sail interviewed Baba in the end of January 2015.

What does the Baltic Sea mean to you?

For almost all of my life, I have lived by the sea. I actually could not imagine myself living anywhere else.  I boat daily (except in the winter), and continuously observe the sea at close range. As a triathlonist, I’ve also been introduced to the sea through open water swimming. Even though I am an experienced sailor and seafarer, long-distance swims in the sea have made me practice a lot and overcome many of my fears. At the same time, I have been able to acquaint myself with the sea, its true being and health, also below the surface.

What kinds of thoughts does the Baltic Sea awaken in you, and how would you describe the status of the sea today?

During the years, I have seen the sea change radically for the worse. The growing volumes of blue-green algae have changed the experience and enjoyment of being by the sea. Gone are the careless summers that allowed you to swim whenever you wanted to. During my lengthy swims, I have noticed how sick the sea has become.  At times it feels as if I would be diving straight to a sewer. A couple of times I have inadvertently ended up in the middle of a bloom of blue-green algae, and this has not been a pleasant experience. The Baltic Sea is one of the sickest seas in the world. I intend to do all I can to ensure that also my grandchildren, if such will be born, will be able to enjoy its beauty and magnificent nature.

What is your own role and objective in the John Nurminen Foundation campaign Save a piece of the Baltic Sea?

The John Nurminen Foundation has made major, far-reaching contributions that improve the status of the sea. Through its operations, the Foundation has shown us that the Baltic Sea can be saved.I trust the ability of the Foundation’s experts to act and achieve results in conditions that can be difficult. This is why I want to help the Foundation launch its new fundraising campaign, and I hope that we will be joined by as many people  as possible.

Your working life is very busy, your hobby of triathlon is great but demanding, and you are also involved in various charity projects.  What is the source of boundless energy that makes all of this possible?

My energy and strength is generated through exercise.  14 years ago I realised that to be able to do all the things I wanted to do, I must take care of myself physically.  I understood that exercise is as important for my wellbeing as is eating and sleeping, and adjusted my attitude towards exercise so that it became like brushing my teeth — something I cannot do without. The results were immediate: I got more done, was healthier, and in better spirits.

The sea continues to be an important source of energy for me. I enjoy its various phases, its beauty and its wildness daily. Every day it shows me a new sideof itself, surprising me at exactly the right places.  It consoles me and makes me happy.

Without the sea, I simply could not live.