Shark territory practice swim

On conquering our fears

Shark advice: know where, when and with whom you're getting in the water. If you feel safe about it, check out your fears at the beach. There is really no point in thinking about sharks while swimming in shark territory. Of course, it's easy to give advice out of the water.
Don't read this if you aren't afraid of sharks.

Sunday, October 11, Santa Cruz, Cowells Cove

While waiting for everyone to gather for our triathlon practice at Santa Cruz, somebody mentioned that last week there were two shark sightings a few miles south. Sharks don't scare me. I even joked with Lara, who had forgotten her earplugs, that on the positive side she'll better hear us screaming 'Shark!' :)

I've surfed where we are swimming today, and one of my favorite surfing spots is just a little further South. I know enough about sharks to not worry about it too much: we were not a river mouth, it is a cove; it is too shallow for a great white shark; it's a very popular surfing spot, and I don't think sharks have ever attacked here; really, it should be fine.
Fifteen minutes later, I realize I know too much.

It was a chilly morning and the water temperature was warmer than the air temperature. It was time to go in. After the usual initial shock of the cold water, swimming was feeling great. That is until thinking started getting in the way.

"Entering murky waters - that's shark's favorite hunting ground!"
"And we just had a sea lion passing... uh oh! "
Looking around I don't see any sharks, "yet".

"What time are sharks having breakfast?"
"It is well past dawn, so it isn't the usual dusk&dawn risk time..."

"Sea lions are OK - they bark but they don't bite, right?."
"Why are the sea lions barking?"
"Are they barking 'Shark! Shark!'?"

"I have just this soft wetsuit I am too vulnerable without the safety of a surfboard underbelly."
"That's illusory - sharks bite off the legs anyways, so it's really not any different."
"I'm sure the only sharks around here are in my head! Get them out!"

"What was that touching my foot?! "
Just the guy behind me - too much thinking has slowed me down.

"Oh well, I can't see anything anymore through my goggles, why worry anyways? "
"Just keep swimming..."

"Hmm, I can't see sharks, but they can smell me!"
"Nobody has been attacked here, neither surfers nor swimmers."
"You can always be the first!"

"Don't flail" (attracts sharks).
"Just make full powerful strokes, good..."

"Good I am not ahead of the pack."
"But they attack from behind, I shouldn't be last either!"
"Really it doesn't matter, they do come from below."
"Fine then, just swim! Breathe out, pull in, keep kicking..."

The guy on my right seems to be slowing down and is looking around.
He is an ex-lifeguard and isn't wearing a wetsuit.
I ask "Are you OK? Are you cold?" he said "No, water is just fine...".

"Hmm, I am not the only one thinking about darn sharks."
"We're farthest out to the right from the pack, and he does look juicy..."
"On second thought, sharks aren't out for humans,
they are out for seals and sea lions. And he's not that fat :)"

"Mark, without a wet suit you are better off!
I do look more like a sea lion in mine - I will be first!"
We chuckle, and keep swimming.
Swimming next to a buddy makes it all feel a lot safer and easier.
"What was that white thing by the buoy? Was that a dorsal fin?
"No, just Lu turning back."
We should ban white swim caps to not scare others..."
Actually, bright contrasting colors are known to attract sharks.
"Maybe I shouldn't be wearing a red swimcap!"

"Anyways, just turn around, stop thinking, and focus on swimming, dude!
Swim to the beach as fast as you can,
kick vigoruously at the end,
and run to the bike."

I've won many contests before (though programming contests ;)
and I do know how staying fully focused makes champions.
Sometimes our mind gets too much in the way.

Good this was just a practice. On race day, the main danger is from fellow triathlete's thrashing elbows. Next weekend, we are back at Santa Cruz for another practice. I should try to get sharks out of my mind. Now I do need to work on my technique at the lagoon back home. The jellyfish there don't scare me, really!