El Sharko’s In The Open Water
Chris Blakeslee, owner of Blakeslee & Crain Vineyard Advisors and Brokers in Sonoma, California, has an alter ego when he arrives in the San Francisco Bay: Sir El Sharko.We caught up with Sir El Sharko, shown below in slow motion, whose motto is ‘I never met a shark I didn’t like‘, after he got out of in the cold San Francisco Bay.
Q1. How many sharks have you seen?El Sharko: I have seen many sharks while diving and swimming over the years.I was swimming as a toddler in the ocean as my father was the originator of Skin Diver Magazine in the early 1950’s. I have a respect for sharks, but am not really fearful, but I am wary in murky waters and at dusk (mistaken identity).
Q2. Did they scare you?
El Sharko: I am not afraid of sharks, but respect them as aquatic predators.
Q3. Are you interested in replicating the two Farallon Island swims (that were pioneered in 1967 by Colonel Stuart Chase and Ted Erikson)?
El Sharko: I will attempt to swim from the Farallon Islands to Aquatic Park [in San Francisco Bay]. It probably won’t happen this next summer for me as my work is impacting my training. But Karen Rogers has asked me to help her with the swim.
Q4. What other marine life have you seen on your open water swims?
El Sharko: Whales, jellyfish, seals, sea lions, dolphins, birds of various types, schools of open water fish such as barracudas, white sea bas, yellow tail, dolphin fish, etc.
Q5. Would you rather swim in 52°F water or 62°F water or 72°F water or 82°F water? Why?
El Sharko: I prefer cooler water, say in the mid-to low-50’s for a 1-3 hour swim as the temperature stimulates a good pace and provides a good rhythm. For a longer swim, the high 50’s would be ideal. In tropical waters, a leisurely swim in 72°F water is fine for a 1-2 hour swim. 82°F is a bit warm for me; I tend to overheat.
Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.
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