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Girl Talk
Swimming with the fishes
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EmailFebruary 03. 2010 6:00AM
I don’t swim like a fish nor have I ever ice skated like Kristi Yamaguchi. And when it comes to downhill skiing, well, let’s just say it’s more probable that you’ll find me sitting in the chalet rather than on a ski lift chair bound for the top of the hill.
But my inability to glide through the water like Michael Phelps certainly won’t keep me away from the waves of the Caribbean Sea or out of the resort swimming pool next week during my time in sunny Cozumel, Mexico.
This is the first time in a number of years my winter get-away friends and I will be venturing back to the Caribbean side of Mexico, and that has me looking forward to swimming with the fishes – or least snorkeling above them.
While I don’t fear water, I haven’t always had the best experience when it comes to snorkeling. I’m a champ at it if I can walk into the water, but take me out into the never-ending sea and ocean waters and tell me to jump, well, that’s another story.
My hesitancy was first caught on videotape a dozen years ago. I must have been good comedic relief for the videographer that day, as he captured my fear from start to finish. Let’s just say by the time I got my nerve up to jump into the Pacific Ocean, my fellow travelers were scrambling back to the boat after a school of jellyfish were on the attack.
One of my more comical snorkeling experiences occurred in Jamaica several years ago. Situated with a pair of too-large fins, mask and a snorkel (breathing apparatus), I mustered enough confidence to jump off the boat and into the vast Caribbean Sea. As I plunged into the water, my left fin went flying one way and my right fin went another. And at the same time, I took in what seemed like gallons of the salty seawater. I spit and sputtered when I came to the surface. As I swam around collecting the snorkeling gear that was floating off in every direction, I heard those six encouraging words: “Swim to me, I save you.”
They were spoken by the boat’s captain, the dread-locked, silver-toothed, “Cool Bob.”
“Swim to you,” I thought to myself, can’t he see that I’m just trying to keep my head above water – literally.
I’m quite sure a whole lot of fear and adrenaline saved me that day in the blue waters of the Caribbean because it certainly wasn’t the heroics of a fellow named Cool Bob.
This week's needs at the Brandon Area Food Pantry
This week's needs at the Brandon Area Food Pantry are: Laundry detergent, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, jelly and dish soap. Monetary donations are always appreciated.
The Brandon Area Food Pantry is located at 406 Main Ave. To donate to the food pantry or for more information, call 582-7001.
But my inability to glide through the water like Michael Phelps certainly won’t keep me away from the waves of the Caribbean Sea or out of the resort swimming pool next week during my time in sunny Cozumel, Mexico.
This is the first time in a number of years my winter get-away friends and I will be venturing back to the Caribbean side of Mexico, and that has me looking forward to swimming with the fishes – or least snorkeling above them.
While I don’t fear water, I haven’t always had the best experience when it comes to snorkeling. I’m a champ at it if I can walk into the water, but take me out into the never-ending sea and ocean waters and tell me to jump, well, that’s another story.
My hesitancy was first caught on videotape a dozen years ago. I must have been good comedic relief for the videographer that day, as he captured my fear from start to finish. Let’s just say by the time I got my nerve up to jump into the Pacific Ocean, my fellow travelers were scrambling back to the boat after a school of jellyfish were on the attack.
One of my more comical snorkeling experiences occurred in Jamaica several years ago. Situated with a pair of too-large fins, mask and a snorkel (breathing apparatus), I mustered enough confidence to jump off the boat and into the vast Caribbean Sea. As I plunged into the water, my left fin went flying one way and my right fin went another. And at the same time, I took in what seemed like gallons of the salty seawater. I spit and sputtered when I came to the surface. As I swam around collecting the snorkeling gear that was floating off in every direction, I heard those six encouraging words: “Swim to me, I save you.”
They were spoken by the boat’s captain, the dread-locked, silver-toothed, “Cool Bob.”
“Swim to you,” I thought to myself, can’t he see that I’m just trying to keep my head above water – literally.
I’m quite sure a whole lot of fear and adrenaline saved me that day in the blue waters of the Caribbean because it certainly wasn’t the heroics of a fellow named Cool Bob.
This week's needs at the Brandon Area Food Pantry
This week's needs at the Brandon Area Food Pantry are: Laundry detergent, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, jelly and dish soap. Monetary donations are always appreciated.
The Brandon Area Food Pantry is located at 406 Main Ave. To donate to the food pantry or for more information, call 582-7001.
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