New World Record OW Swim

Glad to hear Steve M chime in. However, the "I didn't see any sharks killed" version is troubling in contrast to Chris Palfrey's alleged admission that the crew sensed a threat and did what they had to do, as well as Mr. Ebanks' alleged admission that he actually killed the sharks. And Steve, I don't think anyone disagrees that if a shark were imminently threatening anyone, including kayakers, that a physical confrontation would be appropriate. As a diver and swimmer, I would hope that if I am ever attacked by a shark, someone would beat it off, even killing it if need be (and as a diver I have dived with thousands of sharks - not hyperbole, very large schools in costa rica and galapagos - and have quite a lot of time logged in the water with them). Yes, we do enter their food chain when we enter the water, but human life is still more precious than animal life, IMO. But only if there is an imminent threat. I would sooner get out of the water - as I think penny should have - if I or my dive or swim buddies sensed a threat. Anyway, here's the problem. The story came out and caught fire, as stories like this are wont to do. Chris Palfrey says the crew did not make th decision lightly and did what it had to do. News stories quote Mr. Ebanks. When asked about it, suddnly total silence from Palfrey's camp until Steve comes out and says it's not true, because he didn't see it. I didn't see it either, so I guess we both know as much as each other. You'll excuse some of us if we don't believe we're being told everything. I posted on open water swimming's FB board asking if it was true. Not a peep. I posted it on my FB wall, Steve and I became friends in the last few days and he replied, denying it as he does in this thread. Can we get some truth here? I think the reaction from swimmers and non-swimmers alike warrants some frank discussion of this topic, rather than a frank denial based on "i didn't see it." This is an odd enough story that it didn't just come from nowhere. And in the end, if Penny credits her crew with getting her through the swim, I think she has to take some responsibility for their actions. Maybe that's just me though.

Glad to hear Steve M chime in. However, the "I didn't see any sharks killed" version is troubling in contrast to Chris Palfrey's alleged admission that the crew sensed a threat and did what they had to do, as well as Mr. Ebanks' alleged admission that he actually killed the sharks. And Steve, I don't think anyone disagrees that if a shark were imminently threatening anyone, including kayakers, that a physical confrontation would be appropriate. As a diver and swimmer, I would hope that if I am ever attacked by a shark, someone would beat it off, even killing it if need be (and as a diver I have dived with thousands of sharks - not hyperbole, very large schools in costa rica and galapagos - and have quite a lot of time logged in the water with them). Yes, we do enter their food chain when we enter the water, but human life is still more precious than animal life, IMO. But only if there is an imminent threat. I would sooner get out of the water - as I think penny should have - if I or my dive or swim buddies sensed a threat. Anyway, here's the problem. The story came out and caught fire, as stories like this are wont to do. Chris Palfrey says the crew did not make th decision lightly and did what it had to do. News stories quote Mr. Ebanks. When asked about it, suddnly total silence from Palfrey's camp until Steve comes out and says it's not true, because he didn't see it. I didn't see it either, so I guess we both know as much as each other. You'll excuse some of us if we don't believe we're being told everything. I posted on open water swimming's FB board asking if it was true. Not a peep. I posted it on my FB wall, Steve and I became friends in the last few days and he replied, denying it as he does in this thread. Can we get some truth here? I think the reaction from swimmers and non-swimmers alike warrants some frank discussion of this topic, rather than a frank denial based on "i didn't see it." This is an odd enough story that it didn't just come from nowhere. And in the end, if Penny credits her crew with getting her through the swim, I think she has to take some responsibility for their actions. Maybe that's just me though.