After completing the Open Water Swim Long Island Fire Island Swim, I found myself in Pompano Beach, Florida. The blazing 101-degree heat had me craving a refreshing dip in the ocean. Naturally, I brought my ROKA wetsuit, Sable goggles, nose plugs, and custom earplugs down to the beach, ready for an open-water swim.
No Wetsuit Needed in Florida’s Warm Waters
“You’re not going to need that wetsuit,” my neighbor on the next beach chair said, noticing my gear. “It’s like a bathtub out there.”
Skeptical, I walked toward the water and felt the waves splash against my feet. She was absolutely right—the water was lukewarm, just like a bath. I ditched the wetsuit, grabbed my goggles and gear, and headed into the ocean with my nephew Jacob, ready for an impromptu swim session.
A Swim to the Dock
“Do you want to swim with me to the dock?” I asked Jacob, unsure of his level of swimming ability but figuring that living in Florida must have given him some experience.
“Sure,” he replied confidently.
We set out, and while I focused on swimming, my Garmin GPS failed me yet again. “Ugh, this Garmin never works when I need it,” I fumed. After a few more frustrating attempts to get it started, I gave up and used the running app to at least track the distance.
Despite my tech troubles, Jacob kept up, impressing me. However, after a while, I noticed him pause to walk along the shore. I didn’t question it; I was thrilled to share this moment with him.
Swimming with the Fish
The swim to the pier turned out to be further than I had anticipated. Once Jacob had enough and stayed on the beach, I kept going. About halfway back, as I powered through the waves, I noticed something unusual beneath me—a school of fish.
At first, I was charmed. A dozen sleek swimmers darted beneath me, seeming to follow my every move. I turned; they followed. I swam faster; they kept pace. Each time I looked down, there they were, gliding effortlessly below, as though I were leading them.
“I’m swimming with the fish,” I thought, smiling at the bizarre experience. For a moment, I imagined myself as the “big momma fish” leading my loyal school through the ocean. This was magical and surreal.
When the Charm Wore Off
Fifteen minutes in, the novelty began to fade. The fish didn’t leave my side. I stopped, treading water, and felt them swirling around my feet. That’s when I noticed other swimmers nearby with fish circling them, too.
It hit me like a wave. The fish weren’t just following us for fun but nibbling at dead skin. My magical encounter suddenly turned into a horror scene in my head. “Are they eating MY skin?!” I thought, disgusted.
I swam faster to escape them, but they kept up. I slowed down, and they swam with me, their tiny movements unrelenting. They weren’t going anywhere.
Enough Is Enough
I decided I’d had enough of my fish companions. Two miles was a long enough swim, and I was ready to be back on solid ground. Pushing against the current, I swam as fast as I could toward shore, the fish still happily tailing me. Their persistence started feeling comical.
Once on the hot sand, I looked back at the water. What was I afraid of? A dozen tiny fish? Still, I couldn’t shake the thought of those little swimmers nibbling away at me.
An Open Water Adventure to Remember
Swimming with fish in Fort Lauderdale’s warm waters was fascinating and unnerving. It reminded me that every open-water swim has its own surprises. While I won’t miss those “clean-up crew” fish, the experience gave me a story to tell and a newfound appreciation for my northern swims, where the critters stay out of sight.
Share Your Open Water Swimming Stories!
Have you had any unexpected encounters during your swims? Whether it’s nibbling fish, playful dolphins, or other surprises, I’d love to hear about your experiences. Share your stories in the comments below!
For anyone looking to up their triathlon training or explore open-water swimming in Florida, just remember to pack your sense of adventure and maybe skip the wetsuit if the water feels like a bath!
