Posted by Are you a beach or a mountain person? A city explorer or camper? Do you get your thrill from the nightclubs of Ibiza or the ski slopes of Aspen? Or are you a Water Baby?
We all have a “type”. As a Piscean, I am the archetypal fish. I love nothing more than bobbing up and down on the waves or floating in a warm, outdoor pool. Even my hot tub will do!. But it runs deeper than that. I’m a water baby. I need to be close to the waves and long for the soul-soothing sound of the lapping waters on the shore, the sounds of seagulls and the smell of salty air. It’s a longing and craving that never goes away.
Since nothing compares to the view of lapping waves and a beautiful shoreline where water stretches infinitely, a beach vacation is the only option for me when I need to recharge. Outdoor pool meeting beach meeting ocean is my piece of heaven.
Growing up near the chilly seas of England, cold water is no stranger to me and I’m still pretty tough when it comes to braving that. I remember our typical family holidays at the seaside, on the beautiful shores of Wales, Cornwall, and Scotland. Rushing straight into the sea and ignoring the freezing chill just for the joy of being in the water was my ritual. That first breathtaking view of the ocean as we arrived at our destination had no comparison.
After moving to the USA, getting my water fix has been challenging. Four years in Georgia meant sticking to pools since every area of water contains reptiles with very sharp teeth.
Six years of living in the desert climate of America had its own beauty, but the water was not one of them. Now living in the Midwest, being surrounded by rivers and lakes is a stunning sight. Water access is a challenge for swimmers as beaches are limited. The best way to enjoy midwestern water is by boat. Lake Michigan is an exception to that. Its size and color and beautiful shorelines are stunning and the many beach towns give easy access to the water. When my water craving is unbearable, I hold my breath and splash into the cold, deep lake and swim furiously until I am warm enough to imagine it’s the Mediterranean!
So where does a water baby go to get the ultimate swimming and splashing experience? The beaches of Florida, the Caribbean, or Mexico are a perfect choice. There is nothing better than a walk along golden sands with warm, lapping crystal blue waters. Wading into the ocean, then sitting on the beach with my legs in the water and the salt on my skin is something I do before I even unpack.
But now something else has crept into my enjoyment and created a barrier. Along with all of the other emotions that standing on a beach evokes, there is a new one, and its called fear. Maybe it’s the common sense of aging and wanting to stay alive. Finally realizing I’m not “invincible” anymore! Maybe it’s recent experiences and now appreciating that the ocean does not belong to us. Maybe it’s too much Shark Week! But the fear is real to me.
In Fort Myers three years ago, I was in beach heaven. A day trip to Sanibel Island and finding myself ankle-deep in shells was a stunning sight. The water was magnificent and I couldn’t wait to get into the deep blue. We had seen fishermen pulling baby sharks out of the shallow water, but it didn’t concern me. I plowed into the waves and was blissfully bobbing around when close by, a school of fish shot straight out of the water. I’m no marine biologist but I knew something was chasing them. A fin appeared. We froze. We were pretty sure it was a dolphin but we couldn’t move. Then the playful eye of the dolphin appeared next to me with a mouthful of fish. Everyone on shore was standing still watching the show. I slowly swam back to shore, on a terrified high that I had been close to a dolphin but what if it hadn’t been?
October in the Florida Keys was paradise. Water was all around me. We paddled around in kayaks and contemplated swimming. For the first time in my life, I eyed the deep water and wondered what was down there. When I asked at the front desk of the hotel if anyone swam in the water near the hotel, the staff looked at me like I was from Mars and responded that it wasn’t recommended. For the first time ever, I didn’t swim.
Miami was hot. We had a beautiful hotel on the beach. I couldn’t wait to splash around in the Atlantic. On the last day I stood calf-deep in the water and said goodbye to the waves. A fish swam past me in the shallow water which I thought was odd, immediately followed by a large stingray. I wasn’t even up to my knees! I was horrified!
To Swim or Not to Swim?
I will always love the ocean, but now I have a deeper respect for it. It’s not my home, it belongs to many species that I have no desire to interact with, and they seem to be coming closer to shore. Shark attacks happen on all shores of the USA., in shallow water as well as deep. New Smyrna, Florida has a reputation as the Shark Bite capital of the world! That’s one beach I can safely say I will not be visiting. Tourists in Cancun and the Bahamas have lost limbs swimming in relatively shallow water. There are more shark attacks on the coast of Australia than anywhere else. Jelly Fish and Riptides also keep swimmers out of the water and for good reason. After 45 years of swimming in the ocean, I’m now sticking to pools and Midwest lakes. I’ve no desire to plunge into the great unknown anymore. I will leave that to younger, stronger swimmers and those who are fearless like I was. I will swim in the beachfront pools and listen to the waves and be grateful for my carefree years in the sea.
Ocean Facts:
There are five oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, and Southern (Antarctic). The Pacific is the largest and deepest of them all and the Arctic is the smallest.
Technically a “Sea” is not an ocean, but in England, it’s colloquially used to describe the ocean. We love our trips to the sea and the seaside! The true Seas of the world include the Mediterranean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Swim safely my friends and thanks for reading my confession!
