Comments on: Ocean swimming as meditation

By: Cowicide

Cowicide — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:32:00 +0000

Is the huge benefits worth the small risk? Hell yes. I just look at the Risk/Reward Ratio. Also known as the Shark Ratio in some swimming circles.

By: Bruno Privatti

Bruno Privatti — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 14:03:00 +0000

Landshark? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Shark_(Saturday_Night_Live)

By: wakeupsilver

wakeupsilver — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:08:00 +0000

Thanks Xeni. This is just what I needed to read at 5am in Santa Cruz. I grew up in Cocoa Beach where the water is always warm, but never clear. From what I keep noticing, there are a lot of wise souls in Hawaii.

(:Wish you an ocean of healing.

By: paulio

paulio — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:48:00 +0000

The amount of swimmers in Hawaii compared against the amount of shark attacks should ease your mind

By: gd23

gd23 — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:47:00 +0000

That oceanic feeling

By: swiftysjunk

swiftysjunk — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:11:00 +0000

We swim at the cove every day here in San Diego at 9:30, join us sometime. The water is a brisk 56 recently. Got to see some gray whales breaching right off the coast a few weeks ago. I also saw a Mola Mola last fall.

By: Jane Zhang

Jane Zhang — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:10:00 +0000

thank you for writing this… swimming in the ocean has always been meditative for me and I used to think I’m an odd ball for feeling that way. Being one one with the ocean feels like I am back in the womb again, safe and loved. Thanks.

By: sdmikev

sdmikev — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:51:00 +0000

Lovely essay, thank you.
Hawaii may be one of our 50 states, but it’s quite often a different state of mind for sure.
I love it.

By: wrybread

wrybread — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 05:14:00 +0000

I surf here in the San Francisco area, which is obviously lots colder than Hawaii, but it has definitely taught me lots about that open ocean feeling you’re describing. You might enjoy the thing I’ve been exploring lately: sea kayaking. Its amazing how far you can go, especially as you build paddle strength, and its an absolutely amazing way to explore the shoreline.

There’s lots of different kayak designs out there, and beware the beginner friendly models… If you rent something, ask for something that “tracks”, meaning keeps a straight line as you paddle. That means it can handle wind and wind waves much better. Start by going short distances, and after a week you’ll be ready for much longer rides. And of course you can dive off for a swim/snorkel wherever you’d like.

By: DeanCutlet

DeanCutlet — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 03:08:00 +0000

Thanks for the article. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I reads like a silky poem.

By: DeanCutlet

DeanCutlet — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 03:07:00 +0000

Same for the beaches here on Maui where I’ve been swimming almost daily, but once I go beyond 100 yards from the shore the question, “Is today the day?” emerges.

It comes as a quick fright, especially when you move from the horrible scenarios that could happen in the ocean to worrying about those you leave behind.

However, what is makes the whole process worthwhile is the acceptance and the appreciation of what we have in the now. You come out of the sea as a better person; both physically and mentally.

I don’t want to die, but I do want to enjoy my life and swimming deep in the ocean in Hawaii is a deeply intimate and personal experience.

…the wind has been nuts recently, making deeper swims even more interesting…

By: David Gilbert

David Gilbert — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 02:42:00 +0000

You may want to think about carrying a small inflatable float with you, such as a Scuba SMB. Makes it easier for the boats to avoid you :)

By: Felton / Moderator

Felton / Moderator — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 01:02:00 +0000

You’re never more than six feet from a shark. *looks over shoulder*

By: Antinous / Moderator

Antinous / Moderator — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:59:00 +0000

Orphaned?

Edit: Disqus has had the croup on and off for the last week.

By: Antinous / Moderator

Antinous / Moderator — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:56:00 +0000

Enough is enough! I have had it with these motherfucking sharks on this motherfucking underwater research staaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!

By: peregrinus

peregrinus — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:07:00 +0000

From Wikipedia – The tiger shark is considered to be sacred na ʻaumakua (ancestor spirits) by some native Hawaiians

Some people love ‘em. I surf, and get sharky feelings all the time. I’ve had schools of hammerheads swim under me, and been informed by the locals ‘just don’t step on one’.

The sea is lovely.

By: JohnQPublic

JohnQPublic — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:06:00 +0000

I love ocean swimming. I started doing triathlons in my 30s and I was a poor swimmer when I started. I was swallowing water and getting anxious at first, causing my swims to be exhausting as I expended myself trying to stay afloat by treading and kicking. As I practiced more, I began to trust the ocean – trust the water – or rather the physics behind buyoancy… i allowed my neck to relax and bring my head down into the water. This lifted my feet up and positioned my body into an efficient horizontal profile. The swim became relaxed and pleasant as my breathing slowed and I trusted the water to keep me afloat without having to kick or fight against it. I never got very fast but I really came to appreciate the experience of swimming in the sea.

By: peregrinus

peregrinus — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:03:00 +0000

I see what you did there.

[edit: weirdly, your Amity comment vanished and orphaned mine to the top of the list. I didn't like the contrasts of apparent snark of my comment without context vs Xeni's wonderful piece. Fixed now. It's safe to go back in the water.]

By: JohnQPublic

JohnQPublic — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:02:00 +0000

but I don’t like eating hot dogs or ramen either, but in a pinch, if I’m hungry, I’ll eat them…

By: JohnQPublic

JohnQPublic — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 00:01:00 +0000

you obviously have not seen the movie Deep Blue Sea. Sharks are basically velociraptors without legs and will pursue you inside a kitchen.

By: Antinous / Moderator

Antinous / Moderator — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 23:57:00 +0000

Or no one has survived to report them.

Amity, as you know, means friendship.

By: Jonathan Roberts

Jonathan Roberts — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 23:37:00 +0000

At least you don’t have to worry about the cows once you get far enough out to sea.

By: Art

Art — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 23:17:00 +0000

I can fully understand the meditative qualities of swimming in Hawaii, The high salt content of the water makes floating and swimming almost effortless.

By: Denny McPhee

Denny McPhee — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:52:00 +0000

Aloha,
After a swim,try the Eggs Benedict at The Hau Tree Lanai restaurant inside the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel. And welcome to my home island.

By: MitchWagner

MitchWagner — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 22:16:00 +0000

Sounds lovely, Xeni. Also, sounds like you’re on the mend. Glad to hear it!

By: orwell

orwell — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:58:00 +0000

don’t kid yourself, sharks are everywhere…

By: tempo

tempo — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:34:00 +0000

Great article- thanks. I love swimming in the Ocean.

By: MikeKStar

MikeKStar — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:30:00 +0000

Not sure why this popped into my head but I’m reminded of the only episode of Magnum PI that has really stuck with me through the years.

Season 4 “Home from the Sea” has Magnum treading water for hours in the ocean after he’s knocked off his surf ski. Throughout his ordeal he flashes back to his childhood and reminisces on his relationship with his father. Powerful stuff for cheesy early 80′s TV drama.

Found it on Netflix streaming: http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/Magnum_P.I._Season_4_Home_from_the_Sea/70234974

By: jmreagle

jmreagle — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:09:00 +0000

Total Immersion swimming help my swims be meditative.

http://www.totalimmersion.net/

By: awjt

awjt — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 20:59:00 +0000

Fair enough. Good article. I feel similarly about dogs. THey have all these sharp teeth, and lots of people are scared of them, but I’ll just walk up to them and look them in the eye and if they’re being annoying, I’ll grab their snout or stick my hand in their mouth. Sure they could bite me, but they know I’m not going to stand for any shit. So, the shark ethos is similar. Identify yourself, go the other way, and if they get curious bop them on the nose. Ocean swimming is wonderful, especially in calm waters. I do it a lot when I’m down in VI. So peaceful and quiet.