I had an feathery experience while swimming in the ocean...at the beach in front of my house is a rock which, at high tide, I dive from. I swim a set number of strokes out, then swim back in.
So I've done about ten of these out and backs, and am feeling pretty winded. After swimming out again, I float on my back, recovering. An eagle dives down and swoops over me, about a metre above my body...I could see his belly, talons, tail feathers, etc so clearly! But it also spooked me! Thank goodness he didn't think I was a salmon...
Parents
Former Member
That's what makes open water swimming even more stimulating!
I too have encountered curious eagles and osprey while out swimming in the lakes. And my support crew have followed a black bear along the shore line as I swam. I did wonder just what exactly they were watching, so thinking it may be of a wildlife concern, I swam a little bit more away from the shore. As time went by my adrenalin and imagination began to kick into high gear, so I headed back to the shore, a whole 1000m, (in record pace) to hear the story of the bear in the safety of the car.
To add to those great adrenalin boosting stories, I swam with two endangered species.
Once while competing in a harbour swim, Hector's Dolphins (the world's smallest dolphins 5 feet) decided to swim with me. Now that may sound phenomenal. Besides tourists pay gazillions to swim with them. I had been out swimming with them for 3 days prior to the race. We would dive in from the boat and make sounds and they would nuzzle up, so very friendly. So here I was in a race, and I could see them about 25meters away on my breathing side. Rhythmically coming up each time I breathed. The saltiness of the sea in NZ, (which is more salty than here) caused a dry throat, so I coughed a couple of times. Well before you could blink, underneath me were three grey shadows with dorsal fins.
I popped out of the water with more height than a water polo goalie. These lovely dolphins wanted to play, they grazed upside down on my belly, all eyes on me. That sent my hear rate way over the ultimate sprinting zone, and an enormous shot of adrenalin zinged all over me. My family naturally recorded this unforgettable moment, albeit with their commentary, laughter, my facial expressions, and my audio as well. Next time I will visualize this and not get so gosh darned scared out of my wits. I thought I was a quick snack.
The other endangered species is found in my home lakes. Although very small at 18-23 cms and weighing in at a hefty 40grams, this particular breed of lamprey can also be intrigued by other 'water creatures'. As we know, things 'feel different' in the water. Imagine my surprise, after far too many false alarms, to actually see this curious eel stuck on my leg. I suffered the same huge heart rate increase, and zinging of adrenalin. Managed to flick the creature off, and then needed a bit of time to re group!!
Ah, the joys of open water swimming.
And all the great stories we have as a result. There are so many!!
Kiwi
That's what makes open water swimming even more stimulating!
I too have encountered curious eagles and osprey while out swimming in the lakes. And my support crew have followed a black bear along the shore line as I swam. I did wonder just what exactly they were watching, so thinking it may be of a wildlife concern, I swam a little bit more away from the shore. As time went by my adrenalin and imagination began to kick into high gear, so I headed back to the shore, a whole 1000m, (in record pace) to hear the story of the bear in the safety of the car.
To add to those great adrenalin boosting stories, I swam with two endangered species.
Once while competing in a harbour swim, Hector's Dolphins (the world's smallest dolphins 5 feet) decided to swim with me. Now that may sound phenomenal. Besides tourists pay gazillions to swim with them. I had been out swimming with them for 3 days prior to the race. We would dive in from the boat and make sounds and they would nuzzle up, so very friendly. So here I was in a race, and I could see them about 25meters away on my breathing side. Rhythmically coming up each time I breathed. The saltiness of the sea in NZ, (which is more salty than here) caused a dry throat, so I coughed a couple of times. Well before you could blink, underneath me were three grey shadows with dorsal fins.
I popped out of the water with more height than a water polo goalie. These lovely dolphins wanted to play, they grazed upside down on my belly, all eyes on me. That sent my hear rate way over the ultimate sprinting zone, and an enormous shot of adrenalin zinged all over me. My family naturally recorded this unforgettable moment, albeit with their commentary, laughter, my facial expressions, and my audio as well. Next time I will visualize this and not get so gosh darned scared out of my wits. I thought I was a quick snack.
The other endangered species is found in my home lakes. Although very small at 18-23 cms and weighing in at a hefty 40grams, this particular breed of lamprey can also be intrigued by other 'water creatures'. As we know, things 'feel different' in the water. Imagine my surprise, after far too many false alarms, to actually see this curious eel stuck on my leg. I suffered the same huge heart rate increase, and zinging of adrenalin. Managed to flick the creature off, and then needed a bit of time to re group!!
Ah, the joys of open water swimming.
And all the great stories we have as a result. There are so many!!
Kiwi
