Sharks

RE: Sharks

Former Member — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:46:26 GMT

A few days after the multiple shark sitings near Chatham, my wife and I swam from East Falmouth (Cape Cod) to Oak Bluffs (Martha's Vineyard). It was a beautiful day and a fantastic swim. Yes, the thought of sharks was with us - added a little excitement to the fun. We kept our eyes open for seals, or, more importantly, any nervous seals.

RE: Sharks

Former Member — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:33:21 GMT

Just let it go.

RE: Sharks

Rob Copeland — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:28:31 GMT

I have my first ocean area swim in Salem mass in 1 month. There are sharks south of here. Great white sharks. Are you ever anxious about this type of wild life? Or should I just let it go?To the best of my knowledge there has not been a fatal shark attack, north of Virginia since the 1920’s. On average there is about 1 shark related fatality in the US each year, with most of these are in Hawaii, California or Florida. And if you stay away from shark feeding grounds when sharks feed (typically at dusk and at night) you reduce your risk of an encounter even further. According to NOAA, only about a dozen of the over 300 shark species have ever been involved in attacks on people and even fewer are fatal. So while there are sharks in most areas of the ocean (fewer each year) most of them are not man-eaters. And even knowing these things, I sometimes get shark anxieties swimming in the ocean. There’s nothing wrong with it, but I don’t let these keep me out of the water.

RE: Sharks

Former Member — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 16:39:08 GMT

From a different group: Very egalitarian, nurturing society, sharks. A lot of people don't know that. The wise matriarch sharkesses dole out crystals and healing balms, and raise the sharklets in a communal and whole-being focused way, while the adult male sharks are shunned and castigated, as all males in every society should be. Except when there is a spider in the bathtub.

RE: Sharks

knelson — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:45:10 GMT

I'll catch this bird for you, but it ain't gonna be easy. Bad fish. Not like going down the pond chasin' bluegills and tommycods. This shark, swallow you whole.

RE: Sharks

Former Member — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 07:49:57 GMT

If you are in the ocean, there are sharks around you. Let it go

RE: Sharks

Former Member — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 07:13:55 GMT

... if you do decide to do it - try and stay with someone or in a pack of people until the end and pull away. AS they say, "You don't have to run faster than the bear - just faster than the other campers."

RE: Sharks

Former Member — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 06:23:28 GMT

yes - put on a black wetsuit and spalsh around like the stuff they hunt - zero chance of attack there. its all chance. people say getting struck by lightening happens more frequent than shark attacks. but guess what? people get struck by lightening all the time. there have been an usually high number of big shark sightings in that area this year. if you aren't comfortable with the idea of living things swimming around you then don't do it. however, if you do decide to do it - try and stay with someone or in a pack of people until the end and pull away.

RE: Sharks

Former Member — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 06:05:02 GMT

That's a lovely part of the country. I generally try to get to Crane Beach, in Essex, and Plum Island, in Newburyport, when I'm there. and _north_ end of Wingaersheek at low tide, and Plum Cove in Lanesville anytime

RE: Sharks

ViveBene — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 03:06:45 GMT

Please provide a source, and specify "that area." The swim is not taking place in the waters of Cape Cod. Here's a decent article: www.csmonitor.com/.../Great-white-shark-sightings-up-on-East-and-West-Coasts-What-are-they-after-video Please note that Chatham and Orleans are considered Cape. Salem is north of Boston. (If the sharks are after yummies, they could skip all the way to the Macchias, Maine, and munch on puffins.) yes - put on a black wetsuit and spalsh around like the stuff they hunt - zero chance of attack there. its all chance. people say getting struck by lightening happens more frequent than shark attacks. but guess what? people get struck by lightening all the time. there have been an usually high number of big shark sightings in that area this year. if you aren't comfortable with the idea of living things swimming around you then don't do it. however, if you do decide to do it - try and stay with someone or in a pack of people until the end and pull away.

RE: Sharks

ViveBene — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 01:02:44 GMT

How about a ROACH in the bathtub? Some movies I will never watch. :)

RE: Sharks

Former Member — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 15:18:03 GMT

I worry about them when I am swimming in spring-fed ponds! Watched Jaws too many times as a kid. :afraid: I got scared swimming in a 14' deep diving pool after reading the book.

RE: Sharks

rxleakem — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 11:05:10 GMT

I worry about them when I am swimming in spring-fed ponds! Watched Jaws too many times as a kid. :afraid:

RE: Sharks

Former Member — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 10:09:02 GMT

Is this the wild fish swim? I swam the 2-mile last year ...very good fun. Our imaginations can run wild but I would state zero chance of a big shark at this venue. Are various shark species in waters proximate to the course? Of course, but nothing to give a thought about...

RE: Sharks

jaadams1 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 12:48:38 GMT

How many swimmers have been bitten by a shark during an ocean race? Anywhere, ever? Do you want to be the first? I don't care to volunteer! :afraid:

RE: Sharks

ViveBene — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 01:29:44 GMT

As I recall, the sharks are around Cape Cod, which by reason of ocean currents and sticking out so much into the Atlantic is exposed to all sorts of living things that don't necessarily get farther north. There are lots of ocean beaches in northern Mass. without reports of untoward munching. But you might want to take up the question with the race director. That's a lovely part of the country. I generally try to get to Crane Beach, in Essex, and Plum Island, in Newburyport, when I'm there. I have my first ocean area swim in Salem mass in 1 month. There are sharks south of here. Great white sharks. Are you ever anxious about this type of wild life? Or should I just let it go?

RE: Sharks

orca1946 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 01:26:12 GMT

I would ask the local swimmers/races people that question. The local papers must have a listing of water related accidents.

RE: Sharks

Former Member — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 15:02:44 GMT