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Reason #451 Why I'm Afraid of the Ocean

by Justin Glow (RSS feed) on Jul 5th 2007 at 4:19PM

I'm not afraid to admit it: the ocean scares me. I know that, for the most part, it's an irrational fear, created out of a childhood of JAWS-induced nightmares. I just don't like going in the ocean, and I'll do everything in my power to not to wade past my knees. Unless, of course, there's a group of children or a rather good looking girl going in the water. Then, and only then, will I comply and follow lead into the salty bad dream, so that I don't appear to be the complete and total wuss that I am.

It's seeing pictures like the one above that absolutely do not help to fight my fear of the ocean. Well, I suppose it's not a fear of the ocean itself -- (pool) water does not bother me. It's what lives inside that counts. Sharks, jellyfish, sting rays, barracuda, whatever -- they're all disgusting, vile creatures better suited for consumption, or peering at through a thick sheet of glass, than swimming amongst.

Snopes says the photo is real. It was taken from the September 2005 issue of Africa Geographic, and it is, indeed, a Great White. Scary. [via]

Filed under: Paddling, Scuba Diving, Stories, Africa

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Crabby McSlacker Jul 6th 2007 9:50AM

Yikes! (Great picture though).

I'm with you--not a big fan of frolicking in the ocean. Ankle deep does it just fine for me. Even without sharks, there are jelly fish! And waves! (I realize some people seek waves out on purpose, but to me they mean one thing: Drowning!) Plus the water is all salty and there could be broken glass down there and you get sunburned really quick.

I like a nice walk along the shoreline then it's time for beer and burgers. Let the others be shark bait.

(Crabby has her own grouchy health blog, but today (7/6) the topic is somewhat X-rated. So it may not be a good time to visit http://crankyfitness.blogspot.com/).

IRONBLUEEYES Sep 28th 2007 8:34AM

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GO BACK IN THE WATER

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