I almost died from a barracuda attack 5 miles off the Florida Keys last week.
As one could understand, I've had trouble discussing what occurred. I've not shared this extremely private matter with anyone outside of immediate family and a Walk employee until now.
I'm 'opening up' as I feel this incident can serve as a lesson to us all. The lesson, my good friend, is fitness. A superior level of fitness that saved my life and almost certainly the lives of dozens of my fellow shipmates. Yes Virginia, we now have one more reason to Walk with a Doc.
Tuesday, March 15th started like any other beautiful Key Largo morning. My family, in-laws, and I were aboard the U.S.S. Dolphin. The Dolphin is a fine seaworthy vessel that sailed us due west out of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
Onboard the ship, we partook in a bountiful packed lunch of Cheese Whiz and luscious pomegranates prior to arriving at our final destination; an awe-inspiring coral reef displaying dozens of various purple hues. It was teeming with tropical fish of unique sizes and shapes, sea anemones, lobster, and a moray eel or two.
I was ready and fitted with perfect attire. My wetsuit, goggles, snorkel, and flippers were snug. Against our guide's conservative advice, I held my nose and did a sitting backflip off the side of the boat. There is no question that I was impressing all the ladies, right up until I whacked my right leg against the ladder and my head against the hull of the boat.
As I was coming to, I found myself mesmerized by the beauty of the abundant colors that lie underneath the massive Pacific.
It was then, and rather immediate, that they came to my attention - several man-eating barracuda, about 35 yards away. Let me tell you, they look even more dangerous in real life.
As I studied them, their method of attack quickly became evident. They were pretending to ignore me. Brilliant and exactly what one might expect from the ocean's most feared predator - they were attempting to lull me into a false sense of security!
Well Mr. Barracuda, not me, not us, not today.
I was determined to alter what these mighty barracuda had in store for our crew. I had no choice, lives depended on it.
What followed was akin to a single person lifting a Chevy Suburban off a 7 year-old child. It was a series of involuntary events that science could not explain.
Initially, I was overtaken by a sea of inner calm that impressed even myself. Then, operating on pure instinct, I rapidly began motioning fellow snorkelers back onto the vessel.
To a person, they repeatedly ignored my requests.
This left me no choice other than to take on the mighty beasts - Mano y Mano.
I've had my nay-sayers along the way, but my 11 year commitment to establishing the discipline of Underwater Karate (ka-rah-TAY) was suddenly very much in need. Apparently it has had a role all along (sorry haters).
Next, I quickly cycled through what I felt were the 7 most appropriate Underwater Karate moves that the moment called for. After this exhaustive 45 second frenzy of sight and sound, I opened my eyes (finishing in the Zen-Kutsu dachi position).
Just as I had suspected - it worked.
There was not a barracuda in sight and everyone was safe. It still sounds so sweet - Everyone Was Safe.
It wasn't much later that we were resting on the sun-drenched deck of the catamaran counting off. It was all I could do to fight back tears of pride.
Walk with a Doc had provided me a superior level of fitness that had saved us all.
In the decades that follow, as fellow passengers share these stories with their children and grandchildren, I hope they remember one thing.
Fitness doesn't only make us look good in Speedos.
One day, one day... it might just save your life.
Thank you fitness. Thank you so much.
(right now I am standing in front of my computer bowing...and crying like a baby).
