It just occurred to me today after spending the day on one of the finest beaches in the
Caribbean, to wonder how many people who sail actually know how to swim?
In 50 + years I have never ever had qualms about
weather conditions or cause for concern about sinking or being thrown off or whatever because I know how to swim.
After what I witnessed today on the beach and subsequent conversations with random thereafter, it becomes increasingly clear(er) the majority of people do not like to swim. From your buff youngster through all manner of athletes.
Today on one of the finest beaches I have ever encountered I witnessed the following:
Maybe 100 people on the beach max. 20 people in the
water, at knee height, splashing
water upon them selves. maybe 10 people standing chest height further out, doing squats. No one swimming.
For me, I would enter the water in stride, to a certain
depth ground non-touch able of course, dive into the wave and swim out to the furthest buoy, tread water, loll around on my back, breast stroke right and left, simply enjoying swimming. When done, masterfully convert to the stroke and swim back to shore. Like a walk in the park.
Once back upon land, I at there in bemusement at what everyone else was doing, then I watched with interest a young girl, essentially do what I had just done: boldly walked into the water, dove in and swam out to as far as she felt like. Did some laps, swam back as strong as she did when going out, and waltzed on out of the ocean back to her chair.
All the while most people are either dipping their toes in the ocean, walking in to knee
depth and squatting to splash water upon them selves, or waist depth doing do the same.
So I wonder when on a sailing vessel as mentioned I have zero qualms about "sinking" or being "thrown over board" (subject to conditions obviously) because I know how to swim and enjoy it. Which I think amounts to being not afraid of the water.
So how many sailors are like this. It does seem to me the majority of people simply do not like to swim.
Is it odd that the fear of the most catastrophic event in sailing to me is not a problem.
How many of you share this if any at all.
THANKS !