When Sharks Circle
When Sharks Circle
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.Just as Simon Dominguez was cruising along on his 27th mile and nearing his goal of the Farallon Islands, a crew member saw a Great White Shark circling and eyeing Dominguez.
“The first person saw it and then we all did. The yelling did gain momentum especially when you hear a loud voice yell ‘Simon shark,'” reported escort boat captain Vito Bialla of the Night Train Swimmers.
That multiplied.
There was little time for debate when many people yelled at him. He was on the swim platform very quickly as the shark circled the boat some more, 30 to 40 yards out. I think he was mostly curious and the fact that Simon was bleeding caused even more curiosity. Simon was willing to go back after a 10-minute grace period authorized by our observer, but I said no. It was a most heroic effort and am proud to have witnessed it.
I would have made the same call for Joe Locke, Craig Lenning or Ted Erikson if I was there.”
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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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