Foo - Are you all afraid to swim in the ocean?

Watching shark week which made me think of the question so are you all afraid to swim in ocean? Me i grew up in south fla and only thing that scared me was the humans.And boy o boy did i see some wild stuff diving in the keys

yes, i'm scared of the ocean. I don't mind surfing.
i'm scared of aquatic life haha

I will wade close to shore but never go deep like when I was a kid. Great Whites take people monthly where I am.
Surfers are taken mostly though.

Average temp of the ocean here is 44F, just a tad nippy for most people here including moi.

I'm afraid of swimming in any deep water, period.

Yes, that's why I live next to an inland sea. That and saltwater sucks.

I only swim where the water has been treated with chlorine or something else.

I don't know how to swim and my wife has this rule that she won't get into any body of water where she can't see her feet.

I love it, but the Pacific is really cold and dangerous here so I only do it when we're in Hawaii.

Yes I am afraid and for that specific reason. I think when I was a kid I saw some movie with shark and ever since then I am afraid of venturing into the ocean ...

I only swim in pools.

Wait, I did swim in an actual lake once because I finally had a chance to skinny dip, so I figured I could get over my fear of fishes just that once (no one else wanted to go in, though, but that's another story for another day).

The ocean? No way!

No. Live by the beach, work by the beach, go to the beach on my days off. Saltwater is good for your sinuses and makes road rash heal quicker.

No. I hate the beach though. It's where dirt meets water.

Couch

No. I hate the beach though. It's where dirt meets water.

CouchWe never say the D word.

The Georgia coast looks like chocolate milk. I don't like getting in it.

I'm not afraid. Ocean around here is super cold, but I hit the Caribbean a few years ago and spent a lot of time in the water.

If the water is warm and clean... sure.

The north Pacific is a little on the cold side for swimming.

I loved swimming in the ocean in Florida when I was a kid, and then saw Humanoids From the Deep (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080904/) when I was in college. Jaws didn't bother me, but that movie scared the heck out of me and swimming was never the same afterwards.

I love going in the ocean when the water isn't freezing cold. I don't go out terribly far, I stay closer to the shore and play in the surf. There aren't too many fish or other slimy things in water that's constantly churning. I'd be more freaked out swimming in a lake.

Part of our training was to get into the Ocean in full gi at 6am with the fog overhead and go full out sparring. :(

humans weren't made to swim! :p

In Bermuda we regularly swam with Nurse sharks (not dangerous and mostly very passive), and when diving for oysters, abalone, and sea urchins around Bodega Bay in northern CA we often had various sharks swimming around us. I was told that they were mostly Leopard sharks, Broadnose sharks, Sleeper sharks, and Dogfish, however Bodega Bay is Great White territory and I believe that we saw several over the two seasons I was there. Because of this we never free dove, alway wore scuba, and stayed in small groups, because the sharks apparently don't like the bubbles and they tend to avoid tightly organized groups. I think we were actually in more danger when we were sea kayaking than diving because the shark were attracted to the footprint of the kayaks bottom.

There aren't too many fish or other slimy things in water that's constantly churning. I'd be more freaked out swimming in a lake.Ever watch Hillbilly Handfishin? http://animal.discovery.com/tv/hillbilly-handfishin/

Ever watch Hillbilly Handfishin? http://animal.discovery.com/tv/hillbilly-handfishin/

Unfortunately, yes. For some unknown reason my daughter loves that show.

The Georgia coast looks like chocolate milk. I don't like getting in it.

Why is that? We used to go to the Outer Banks - granted a bit north of there - and it was always nice.

Afraid? Yes. Have I done it? Yes...Swam in the Atlantic Ocean at Cocoa Beach & snorkeled on the reef near Cozumel. Both were once in a lifetime experiences that I'm glad I didn't pass up just because I was afraid.

My favorite beach, though, is a quiet little spot on Lake Superior. Cold, but clean...& no sharks or jellyfish.

afraid? no.
Respectful of it's inhabitants? Absolutely.

And I don't do things where I'm dressed like a seal.

I swim at night a lot because there is less people.But i do admit ya mind wil play tricks on you when its pitch dark

Why is that? We used to go to the Outer Banks - granted a bit north of there - and it was always nice.
The tides are pretty extreme. 7 foot changes and that sucks a lot of silt out from the marsh.

I grew up on the coast of Massachusetts. I didn't swim in the ocean much as the water was too cold for my liking. I have swam in the Caribbean when I visited there years back, where the water was clear and warm.

I now live in the middle of the continent and don't miss the ocean much. I live near the Colorado River but I don't go swimming in it.

I grew up on the coast of Massachusetts. I didn't swim in the ocean much as the water was too cold for my liking. I have swam in the Caribbean when I visited there years back, where the water was clear and warm.

I now live in the middle of the continent and don't miss the ocean much. I live near the Colorado River but I don't go swimming in it.


http://www.grandcanyontrust.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Colorado-River.jpg

I can see why....

I usually swim 1/2 mile to 1 mile round trips in the ocean daily every year from late April to early October before work.

I have been fighting a nasty ear infection this year and it has really limited my water time... I have only been in twice this year. Just about when I think the ear infection is done, it comes back. I think I need stronger meds.

Won't go in saltwater where I cannot see bottom - so that let's me be known as the "wader".

http://www.grandcanyontrust.org/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Colorado-River.jpg

I can see why....

I have done a little rafting in the portion of the river that spans the CO-UT line (Loma, CO to Westwater, UT), but it is mainly flat water there.

I haven't yet been swimming out here in the Northern CA ocean, but when I lived in SE Florida (Port St. Lucie / Stuart area), I used to swim in the ocean all the time. I also used to go shark fishing at the same beaches I went swimming at.

My brother and I would regularly catch 6'+ black-tip reef sharks, lemon sharks, nurse sharks, barracuda, etc. There were lots of people swimming, and many, many sharks in the area (off Hutchinson Island). When we'd hook and then land a larger shark, people would start freaking out at times. We were young (16 or so) and got a kick out of the reactions. We'd even swim the bait (a bluefish dripping with blood) out 100 yards or so from the shore. The sharks never bothered the people. They were there to eat the plethora of fish.

I've always been a bit anxious when swimming in deep water - but never scared.

I just don't like going in the gulf of mexico(pre-oil spill.) It always seemed filthy every time I was there. The foam is disconcerting somehow. Anywhere else, the aquatic life makes me a bit nervous, but I'll still swim. I just make sure to be aware of my surroundings.

One of my life sensations that I adore was bodysurfing a wave strong enough to hold me verticle by just my ankles, the rest of me was in the air, then I poped out, gravity sucks, but it was great (manhattan beach,ca)
another was body surfing Daytona beach, 150+ yard rides, wow...
The thrill of getting dumped end over end on a body board, indescribable, btw, man was created to swim, it's how it got to land, just turn over and kick your leggs, bicycle style, it's karmonic
And, lucky enough to spend a month on the Maine coast each summer, after a couple hours in the saddle getting in cold water is therapeutic, problem is the cold water is getting warmer

I'd be more freaked out swimming in a lake.

Cuz:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZlfT8rkQsZo/TPN2rGLIeAI/AAAAAAAAAIk/bPgFJnx4xl8/s1600/Lake%2BPlacid%2BLocandina.jpg

Nope, and the last time I was swimming in the ocean I was stung by a jelly fish. Hazards of the medium.

I like rolling (grappling sparring) on the beach. oceans suck though

.... I'd be more freaked out swimming in a lake.

Indeed. Check this out! (http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/news/x866122360/Newtons-Crystal-Lake-closed-for-a-second-week-due-to-algae-bloom?zc_p=0#axzz23TLahaxI)

Crystal Lake is a small lake, almost in the center of upscale Newton, MA. Every year, there is an Algae bloom problem, that turns the water bright green. It also has a lovely odor to it. Just like the article says, it happens almost every year, but usually after the swimming season has ended.

So, let's see... A body of fresh water, in eastern MA. What could possibly go wrong?

CBad, you would probably enjoy some of the lakes in Maine. At Sebago Lake, you can see all the way to the bottom, even it it's twenty feet deep. Of course, it's also cold.
The lakes in Maine never really warm up much. But, on a very hot, humid day, it feels great.

Our local pond was shut down a couple weeks this year, after a couple of cases of shigellosis:

http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jul/27/klineline-pond-still-closed-after-tests-find-e-col/

Cuz:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZlfT8rkQsZo/TPN2rGLIeAI/AAAAAAAAAIk/bPgFJnx4xl8/s1600/Lake%2BPlacid%2BLocandina.jpg

Oh, now you've done it! Must post the most famous scene in the movie.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5iGNKRm0w4

Nope. Gulf coast of florida, I love swimming in the ocean, actually swimming anywhere. But I'm an extremely strong swimmer and was raised in the water, so I think that's part of the reason the fear is not there. Not that that means bad things could not happen...

Went white water rafting in WV in late October in the snow (brr) down the Gauley river, when they open the dam and flood the river valley. Got launched out of the raft at this particularly bad spot called Pure Screaming Hell...survived, and it was a blast. I so would do that again. The best part...it's on video.:lol:

I usually swim 1/2 mile to 1 mile round trips in the ocean daily every year from late April to early October before work.

I have been fighting a nasty ear infection this year and it has really limited my water time... I have only been in twice this year. Just about when I think the ear infection is done, it comes back. I think I need stronger meds.

+1 I grew up in San Diego and swam every beach there, no worries--except for a seal that scared the crap out of me at the Cove.
I live in Texas now and hate the 'beaches' here. Too warm and murky with too many nasties in the water to worry about.

I swam with things that was bigger then are boat.I do keep my eye on them lol last one was this huge stingray realy was big as or bigger then are boat

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhHDXk8g4FE

Are you all afraid to swim in the ocean?

No. One time there was a sign that said clothing
optional, so I took the sign's advice - Sandy Hook, NJ ;)

.https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/s480x480/394541_367418099998905_647222501_n.jpg
(https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=367418099998905&set=a.126895770717807.28294.126894987384552&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf)

Cuz:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZlfT8rkQsZo/TPN2rGLIeAI/AAAAAAAAAIk/bPgFJnx4xl8/s1600/Lake%2BPlacid%2BLocandina.jpg

I'm more afraid of the brain-eating amoebas (http://www.healthmap.org/news/brain-eating-amoeba-returns-south-72012).

I'm more afraid of the brain-eating amoebas (http://www.healthmap.org/news/brain-eating-amoeba-returns-south-72012).

Hmmm, for me it's a tough call between brain eating amoeba and the candiru (http://voices.yahoo.com/the-dreaded-candiru-aka-penis-fish-myth-horrible-503397.html).

I still went swimming in the river today. I hope I die before global warming and poor ballast management result in those guys populating my rivers of choice.