Saturday, November 28, 2015
Monday, January 7, 2008
Swimmers Warned After Shark Spotted Near La Jolla
In December, a large shark spotted by a kayaker near La Jolla Cove has triathletes and swimmers on alert. (more)
CBS reports that lifeguards received the report of a possible shark sighting around noon. They sent a boat out to warn swimmers and offer them a lift back to shore as a precaution.
The kayaker described the shark as being more than 20 feet in length. It is not known what species was spotted.
Lifeguards say at that size, it may have been a great white shark.
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I have often said that the city's decision to kick the children off the beach at children's pool in order to let the seals to take up residence would invite some great white's to take up residence nearby. They kicked McDonalds out of downtown La Jolla years ago, only to open McShark. I do love the seals, but I think they would be more happy in Pt. Loma, away from the largest no boat no boat human swimming area in the country - the La Jolla Cove.
Here is a quote from a summer report from a diving web site chat room:
"The seals at La Jolla children’s pool have finally attracted a mid sized white shark. I get reports of a 15 to 17 ft great white shark in La Jolla every other day. He buzzes free divers, steals tuna from fishermen, he cruses the inside and outside of the kelp forest, and he likes to eat seals. He is acting just like white sharks from Isla Guadalupe. Well we finally have our shark. I predict a local shark attack on a human within two years, because of the dumb seals.
I heard these reports last night. Two free divers were buzzed in the kelp hospital point, the got out of the water. A large white was munching hooked yellow tail from the charter boats on the outer edge of the La Jolla Kelp, a mid sized seal bit was bobbing in the kelp.
I am used to diving with man-eaters, (Ano Nuevo, point Reyes, Samona…..) no problem, but this one bothers me.
Be careful out there." -freediver7
As Freediver said, Be careful triathletes.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
My Holiday Wish - Heal Fast Tony Pedeferri!
-Mitch
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The good news is that his spinal cord was not severed, and the doctors hope that the paralysis will be temporary, due to post-surgical swelling and bruising, but it is too early to tell. Tony is a three time finisher of Ironman Hawaii, having competed there just last October. He is only 36 years old, married, and the father of two young children.
I've known Tony for many years, and he is a stellar family man, officer and triathlete. He was injured after he made a traffic stop on the highway, and the car he stopped was struck from behind by an impaired driver, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The force of the collision killed the person Tony had stopped, and propelled Tony nearly 80 feet into the bushes.
Ventura Office
Attention: Officer Matt Winter
4656 Valentine Road
Ventura, CA 93003
With Appreciation,
Monday, December 3, 2007
A Meaningful Letter
I received this letter today. Sometimes I wonder if my writing is helping people stay motivated - it's a very special thing for me when I receive letters that affirm that I am helping people.
Train Smart!
-Mitch
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Hey Mitch-
I just wanted to thank you for your continued consistent, honest, exciting, fun about showing all of us the true meaning of being a athlete/Ironman. I have been living in Minneapolis for 3.5 years now after moving from San Diego. I continue to pursue my goal of doing an Ironman every year, so far so good. I am constantly asked why and how do you do it? I always give them my best and honest answer but if they want more, I give them a copy of one of your Starting Lines articles to give the best answer about what it takes and how enjoyable it is.
Thanks Mitch, for helping teach me and others about how truly inspiring and life-changing this sport is. It has helped/saved me and I can't wait to train tomorrow!
Best,
Johnny Surprise
Dir. of Sports & Entertainment Marketing ASI Communications www.a-s-i.com
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Dolphins Save Surfer From Becoming Shark’s Bait
A pod of bottlenose dolphins helped protect the severely injured boarder. Article from the Today show - By Mike Celizic
Surfer Todd Endris needed a miracle. The shark — a monster great white that came out of nowhere — had hit him three times, peeling the skin off his back and mauling his right leg to the bone.
That’s when a pod of bottlenose dolphins intervened, forming a protective ring around Endris, allowing him to get to shore, where quick first aid provided by a friend saved his life.
“Truly a miracle,” Endris told TODAY’s Natalie Morales on Thursday. To read the entire article click here.~
Saturday, October 27, 2007
San Diego Air Quailty Forecast And More
You can check the air quality in San Diego here. After scanning the information about the air quality, I am going to wait until Monday before I start working out again. I've used air filters for a decade, and I recommend Bionaire air filters for your home, even when there are no fires - check them out here. You can check the tides in San Diego, here, the weather here, and the time of sunrise and sunset (and moonrise and set) in San Diego here. Of course, you can always check traffic here.~
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Why Blog from Kona? - Mitch Thrower
Why take all the time to photograph, crop, post, video, upload and write about this race? There is enough to think about this week in preparation, and with the race week activities. But blog I must, because this race has changed my life and I hope it will change yours too.
It was my 12th Ironman Hawaii last Saturday - and every year, my compass has been re-set, my fitness calibration has been re-adjusted and the lava has taken me someplace deepin side the core of my being, and I like that place.
This may sound like one of those greeting cards labeled "deep thoughts," but it is a real pleasure for me to open up this small window for you into the world of Kona on Ironman week, so that you can virtually be in Kona, at least for through a few photos and videos.
Through this small window, let Kona in. If Kona is calling you, listen.
Find your way here to watch or to race.
Aloha,
-Mitch
Ironman Hawaii, The Monday After - Final Photo Gallery
Swimming in Kona, skilled triathlete & Triathlete Magazine board member Matt Barger who came to watch this year's Ironman.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Awards and Triathlete Magazine Party
San Diego-based writer Don Norcross with the amazing editor of Triathlete Magazine, TJ Murphy, and Tim Mantoani (one of the best photographers in the world - click here for Tim's web site.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Inside Ironman Hawaii 2007 - IRONMITCH Video Blog
- or -
Click here to watch full screen version of this TV channel.
Lt. Andy Baldwin, MD, Ironman
Friday, October 12, 2007
Carbo Loading Dinner & Thursday Night Lights
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Ironman Live Crew! Race Goes Live at Ironman.com @ 5:30 a.m. Hawaii Time on Saturday
Photo: Kevin Mackinnon, Greg Welch, Paul Huddle, Paula Newby Fraser and Josh Tinson, who keeps everyone connected.