At this point I imagine everyone across the country knows about 66 year old David Martin who died this past Friday after being bitten on the legs by a huge shark, probably a great white, off the coast of Solana Beach. He was a member of Triathlon Club San Diego and was doing a morning swim workout with about 10 fellow triathletes. He was hanging back with some weaker swimmers to provide encouragement and support.
I didn't know him or even who he was, even though I'm a member of the same tri club. (There are over 1700 members.) Despite that, his death has hit me hard and I am very emotional about it, I must admit. This occured not 5 miles from where I sometimes swim and Boogie Board (often with Italiphil). Because the water is still pretty cold, I haven't been in yet this year. I've also done a few races at Fletcher Cove in Solana. The guy was a good swimmer and a triathlete, both things I am passionate about. He leaves behind a family that includes 4 grown children.
I can't help but think, as many TCSD members do, that it could have been me. Most of us are enthusiastic about our sport and the training that goes with it. We view it not just as a sport but as a lifestyle. None of us expect to lose our life doing the sport we love. Many swim, bike, and/or run together at least some of the time. By all accounts, Dave was one of those. Not only that, he was kind, friendly, and encouraging to those who were new or who struggled to improve. All the people of the Triathlon community, especially in San Diego, are struggling to find ways to deal with this. And, beyond the loss to David's family, they're wondering what next? Tonight Mrs Sladed and I went to Solana Beach just after sunset so I could pay my respects. There were two dolphins out in the surf. All day today many people, including surfers, supposedly stayed out of the water there, in a sort of tribute and out of respect.
So, "What now?" I ask myself. I'll repeatly look at the statistics on shark attacks, especially in southern California, to reassure myself that this never happens and that the odds of it happening again or happening to me are extraordinarily remote. How one is more likely to die from a dog attack or be killed from a lightning strike or whatever other comparisons there are. This just never happens. Except now it has, so now I can't say never. I have to tell myself that given how many people are out there in the ocean day after day, year after year, and the number of times this has actually ocurred, it's just so unlikely that it would happen to me.
But now it could, it's real. That's now going to be in my mind every time I swim out there in the ocean. When I was teenage I used to worry more about this, especially after the movie Jaws came out. Now I'll be scared again. But I'll be back out there, more aware of the what ifs. My heart rate will no doubt be elevated. And the first time I'll deal with the open ocean will be May 19th when the annual Encinitas Sprint Triathlon is held. The fear of sharks will be there. And so will David Martin's memory.
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