Why I don't swim in this ocean

Fish Hoek beach - taken by me

I was born and raised in a part of Cape Town that some people affectionately call the "deep south" (as its right on the southern tip of Africa). While I very much believe that Fish Hoek and the surrounding coastal towns may easily be some of the most beautiful places in Africa, I especially steer clear of swimming at the False Bay area beaches nowdays....
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Why? Well, mainly because the water is usually icy enough to give you an ice-cream headache, I'm a rubbish swimmer (think doggie paddling), there are Great White sharks that swim there - AND occasionally I read an article like THIS one (and more recently, THIS one).
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Now, please don't get me wrong, I truly love sea creatures (except maybe creepy eels) and I fully understand that sharks are not just evil, man-eating monsters (even though Steven Spielberg's "Jaws" almost made me think so)- but growing up near the beach most of my life and hearing shark attack stories has definitely given me a healthy respect for the ocean and its inhabitants.
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While I realise I probably have more chance of being killed by a faulty toaster than a shark, I still think i will be staying out of this ocean ;).
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Notes: They do have "shark spotters" watching the southern suburbs coastlines - if you want to see what they do and what they see click HERE. To watch a video about how helpful and cool sharkspotters are, trot over HERE

21 comments

Cam13 January 2010 at 10:54
Cold Cape Water = Wetsuit

'Rubber' Seal Decoy used to attract GWS to view boats - made out of 14mm wetsuit material.

Wetsuit = Seal????????

GWS eat Seal!!!!

;)

I surf, Brazen, and a healthy respect of the Ocean and it's creatures is good...either in or out the water. :)
Anonymous13 January 2010 at 11:37
Yeah - the ocean is a little dodgy for me too. I mean - I think it's beautiful and all. But scary!
Sid13 January 2010 at 11:38
The water in Muizenberg isn't THAT cold. Not in summer.

Yeah, heard bout the shark incident. Won't stop me from surfing.
J.J. in L.A.13 January 2010 at 11:39
I haven't been in the ocean since my 13th birthday...when I saw Jaws. I wouldn't even turn my back to the deep end of our pool for fear a shark would come up through the drain. It's unrealistic but, hey, I was 13! ; )
Janine / Being Brazen13 January 2010 at 11:47
Cam - lol. True. :)

Sleepyjane - Im so with you

Sid - you are braver than me

JJ in LA - when i was younger i thought similar things. I dont think its unrealistic, its just overly cautious .hehehe ;)
Kate13 January 2010 at 11:50
I grew up there too. SO not swimming anytime soon either! Great post. Beautiful picture (of the beach).
Suki Lock13 January 2010 at 12:20
In this heat, I might just be willing to brave the oceans.
Lana {lanalou style}13 January 2010 at 12:52
You're missing out!! I actually went to Fish Hoek beach on sunday and I haven't been there for years, normally go to beaches closer to town. Anyway the water was a beautiful turquoise blue and so warm and you could honestly do laps, perfect!
Janine / Being Brazen13 January 2010 at 14:21
Lana - I love Fish Hoek beach, I just wont swim there. Splash myself and walk along beach - Sure...but swim...no thanks.
Francisco Castelo Branco13 January 2010 at 14:55
the water is hot , right?

this Cape means a lot for the Portuguese
Janine / Being Brazen13 January 2010 at 14:58
Francisco - No, the water is rather cold in False Bay area of Cape Town
janis13 January 2010 at 15:19
oh this is so funny. when i was living in south africa, we would go to muizenberg all the time + go swimming. and one time, there WAS a shark sighting and apparently there was someone running up and down the beach with a flag...however me and my friend were totally oblivious! another friend had to come out and get us! ahhhh!
Furry Bottoms13 January 2010 at 17:54
That is freaky scary!!! I love the ocean, but I refuse to swim in it!!
Maryx14 January 2010 at 09:06
I heard about that. But still won't stay out of the ocean myself. I'm such a water baby. I just don't get to GO to the ocean enough.

Thanx for sharing the links! =D
Anonymous14 January 2010 at 14:05
think i'd rather be killed by my toaster thanks
Janine / Being Brazen14 January 2010 at 14:07
wheelboy - Id rather not be killed at all.hehehe..but if I must pick Id also go with toaster rather than shark.
Unknown14 January 2010 at 14:59
Can you imagine how traumatised the peeps are that actually saw this prehistoric sized monster hunt down a human being!?! There is no one at Fish Hoek or Glencairn beach today, not a soul even so much as walking through the little waves that lap softly on the shore!

Great to discover your blog, and stoked that you're also living behind the lentil curtain! Thaya x
G14 January 2010 at 18:03
do you know about box jellyfish and irukandji?

almost invisible and way more deadly.
Trust. I'm obsessed.
Anonymous15 January 2010 at 08:39
With you on the doggy paddle. I have tried swimming the ‘proper’ way, with the head popping out ever so slightly to get some air, and I almost drowned. Friends might laugh at me, but I’m quite happy paddling around. As for the beach, I’m sticking to ankle deep =)
Tamara15 January 2010 at 11:13
I grew up in Kzn. So when people said "Fish Hoek is the warm side" I would tell them that, no - the warm side is on the other side of the country, actually.
Anonymous24 February 2012 at 23:57
Fish Hoek and Muizenberg are fab swimming beaches... Warmest in Cape Town.