Archive for March 29th, 2005

2005.03.29

Swimming With Sharks

What a great movie. However I’m not talking about figurative Hollywood idiots in this case, I’m talking about sea creatures with a mouthful of teeth.

Ann and I went up to Bolinas on Sunday to check out the surf and get wet. The waves were very small but very rideable and we were having a good time. There were only two other people out there, too, so there was no competition for space.

I was sitting out on my board when Ann thought she stepped on something. It could have been anything from her leash to a rock, but it left her feeling a bit weird. Then out about 250 meters to the west north west I saw a creature swimming around. At first I thought it was just a very large seal, but something looked a bit off to be just a seal. I pointed it out to Ann. The other two surfers saw me pointing, too, and watched.

Eventually we saw what might have been a fin. Ann thinks it was for sure but I don’t know. The other two guys decided they were getting out of the water, though, so we decided that, perhaps, it would be prudent to depart ourselves.

I still am not sure what the creature was. It might have been a dolphin, though we suspect they usually roam about in pods. If it was a whale it was a very small one. The likely candidate is a shark but I just can’t believe that. Still, if it was, I’m impressed that I didn’t instantly panic given my almost lifelong fear of the garbage scowls of the sea. I am actually looking forward to getting out in the water again, even. I won’t say I’m over my fear, but I’ve discovered that I’m comfortable with the water finally and my worries are more grounded in reality.