SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA

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2009-08-14 12:09 PM

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Subject: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA

I have signed up for my first Tri Sprint (Carpinteria, CA) which is the end of September.  The I am planning to do Catalina Island in November.  Ultimately, I am training for Geelong Ironman 70.1 on Feb 7th. 

The training has been awesome so far- I am feeling great!  But one thing lingers in the back of my mind...Sharks.  I am so freaked out by the idea that I will be swimming in shark infested waters in southern Australia.  I'm even worried about Catalina Island.  How do I get over this?  I know it's so silly... but I can't get it out of my head.  My biggest worry is that I get out into the water and a) feel that first bump by a shark and then really get bit or  b) I get half way out and  have a panic attack.  Someone tell me to snap out of it!

2009-08-14 12:15 PM
in reply to: #2348783

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Subject: RE: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA
I can tell you that there is nothing to worry about for the Catalina race.  The swim is in Avalon harbor, out and around the pier.  There aren't any sharks in the harbor that woud want to swim aywhere close to you.  Not to mention, they probably couldn't open their tiny little mouths wide enough to bite a human.  I've swam in that water for years and never seen a thing. 
2009-08-14 12:29 PM
in reply to: #2348783

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Subject: RE: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA
Ok, thanks...that makes me feel better about Avalon.

Also: I meant 70.3... I am new to this.
2009-08-14 12:31 PM
in reply to: #2348783

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Subject: RE: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA
I've done over 500 dives at Catalina (most at the Casino, which is right around the corner from the harbor - I've even dived a bit into the harbor)...  other than the little horn and swell sharks, I haven't seen any "good" sharks.  And in the harbor itself???   That is one of THE loudest places underwater, what with the ferry and all the personal watercraft.  There's no way a shark's going in there anyway.

Sharks are not attracted by large groups of thrashing swimmers.  You don't have anything to worry about
2009-08-22 2:19 AM
in reply to: #2348783

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Subject: RE: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA
Hi Kelly,
I'm thinking of doing Geelong myself...bit more local for me. I haven't heard that sharks are an issue for this race. Geelong is a very popular place to hold tri's-I've done one there-and I've not been concerned.
2009-08-22 8:07 AM
in reply to: #2348783

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Subject: RE: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA
Sharks are everywhere.  You just don't seem them.  Here is where I swim on the east coast & guess what.  Sharks everywhere.  Don't worry about them.



(sharks04-sm.jpg)



(sharks01-sm.jpg)



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sharks04-sm.jpg (54KB - 6 downloads)
sharks01-sm.jpg (62KB - 5 downloads)

2009-08-22 1:36 PM
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Subject: RE: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA
I live and swim in the area that the above pictures were taken. It may be best that you don't know, but when your swimming open water there are going to be sharks, rays, and a whole host of other creatures. They definately would rather get away from you. Personally, I worry more about the humans during the other two legs. No matter where I run or ride, the humans in cars dont' try to get out of my way.
2009-08-22 1:49 PM
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Subject: RE: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA

I was swimming in Falmouth, MA last week.   Even though I knew the risk of shark attack was near absolute zero, I couldn't get it out of my head.

You could maybe try hypnosis.

2009-08-22 2:24 PM
in reply to: #2348783

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Subject: RE: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA
Just swim faster than the people around you and you'll be fine.   Laughing
2009-08-22 3:12 PM
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Subject: RE: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA
kklems - 2009-08-22 3:24 PM Just swim faster than the people around you and you'll be fine.   Laughing


^^^^
...and try not to smell like chum.  LOL
2009-08-22 10:39 PM
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Subject: RE: SHARKS!!! Geelong, Australia and Catalina Island, CA
I have done scuba, swimming, and surfing from the tip of Baja, San Diego, and Los Angeles, and have seen sharks in every area.  One day I was sailing from Newport Beach to Catalina and saw a shark so big, (how big was it?)  I thought it was two, but was just one bbbbbiiiiiiigggggg one.

The scariest sighting was on a night dive in La Jolla San Diego and almost ran head to head into one.  I think (s)he was just a scared as me though.

Hey, you could get hit by a car crossing the street ya know. Especially out here in Vegas.

Just swim your race and have fun.

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