Swimming with the Stingrays

hazelson · September 5, 2006

I've seen several of the species "homo sapien" (sp?) on the "Price Is Right" that should be spayed or neutered - no wait - that was on "Jerry Springer" :grin: :grin: :grin:

Sad about Irwin - he was very entertaining. But I think it was just a fluke that the barb hit his chest - then into his heart. he would have appreciated the irony in that - I think.

Prayers go out to his wife and kids.

frostyboy64 · September 5, 2006

allways have and allways well

god speed steve

elfed · September 5, 2006

Yes, an awful shock to learn of his death. By and large I think the sting rays in the Caribbean are very used to human visitors therefore they are probably calmer than in Australia. However I don't WANT to know what a sting from one of these things will feel so will treat them with respect.

Regards,

James.

Suzila · September 5, 2006

I guess I'm in the minority here. We've been to Grand Cayman, and we opted out of swimming with the stingrays. I had no desire to 'enjoy' swimming with wild animals around. Yes, I've heard everything about how they don't normally attack, they're passive, etc., but they will defend themselves if necessary. Like every other animal...you just never know when you're going to tick them off.

Rose, your comment about helicopters doesn't compare for me. Helicopter pilots are very well-trained, especially before being able to give rides to others. (my hubby is a helicopter pilot, and has been a mechanic on helicopters in the past). Yes, there are helicopter accidents, just as there are car accidents, but humans are trained to fly, trained to maintain the vehicle. You're not dealing with wild animals.

I have two very peaceful dogs. I would never tell someone 'they don't bite'. It's true, they have never bitten anyone, but provoked, I have no doubt they may bite and I have no control over that.

Anyway, that's just my feeling about swimming with wild animals, passive or not. I'm not that adventurous. BTW, we went in the glass bottom boat in Grand Cayman so I could see the stingrays, but have glass between them and me.

JoeyandDavid · September 5, 2006

Very good point Sue

sailingrose · September 5, 2006

Sue, I meant no harm with my helicopter statement. I know how hard and for how long pilots train.

I was using that analogy because last time we went to Alaska a helicopter crashed just prior to our trip and everyone knew we were planning to helicopter to a glacier. Everyone thought I was crazy not to cancel but I knew I didn't want to miss it for the world.

Suzila · September 5, 2006

I knew what you meant, Rose...I wasn't offended in any way. Just to let you know, my own hubby, the pilot, refuses to fly with any helicopter pilot he doesn't personally know. Besides the fact that he does fly every day, and when he's on vacation does NOT want to go flying, he has said many times, he knows how these guys have been trained, and will not fly with them. Gosh, I guess that sounds really bad, when I read it over, but that's how he feels, and he's been flying for over 30 years.

So really, when you're on vacation and taking these excursions, you're at risk with many of the adventurous new experiences you take. Personally, although I love my two dogs, I'm just not an animal person. I don't care to be around wild animals and feel they can turn on you at any moment. 'I' would not consider swimming with stingrays.

On the other hand, we did the white water rafting trip in Alaska a few weeks ago, and the river can also turn on you. Besides that, the guide we had told us he had only been doing that job for about 4 months (he didn't tell us this until we were in the middle of the river !!!), although he had been white water rafting many times before he got the job.

I do think Steve Irwin's accident was a fluke...'most' times stingrays are reported to be passive, but he was a person who took chances often, working with wild animals. Sadly, I just believe it was his time to go.

SCIROCCO · September 5, 2006

Dont people mostly swim with Manta Rays? They arent as dangerous as Stingrays, and Im sure any smart tour guide wouldnt put his clients swimming with the Stingrays when they can get Injured and he might be sued! :wink:

jbond · September 5, 2006

I think in order to swim with mantas you need to be scuba diving. Mantas are much larger than stingrays and have no stinger. They feed on plankton and can grow up to 22' wingspan. The ecologists discourage touching mantas because they have a delicate skin that can be easily damaged, unlike other stingrays that almost appear to enjoy being stroked. We've "swam" with rays in the Caribbean and in French Polynesia. If you haven't done it, I'd highly recommend it. It is an unusual experience.