Why don’t Americans generally like swimming in the ocean?

[Anonymous]

I don’t like getting past where I can stand because I worry about rip tides. And like to be kind of near other people because I worry about sharks.

[Anonymous]

Have you ever tried to swim in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of NY/NJ? It’s cold. That’s where I grew up. When I’m in Hawaii, I love going in the ocean, but the water is warm there.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, it’s the beaches. Most are too rough, cold, and murky for swimming.

[Anonymous]

Which beaches have you been to in the US? What beaches have you been to outside the US?

[Anonymous]

I like clear water with a sandy bottom where I can see my toes. Otherwise no thanks.

[Anonymous]

I think what you want to hear is that Americans are indeed the junk-food eating fatties that you think they are.

Yes, they are. No American has ever swam in the ocean. They're all drinking in lounge chairs poolside. Extra large chairs to fit their large bulk.

You can stop trolling now.

[Anonymous]

When I learned people pee and poop in the ocean it lost its appeal for me, especially when visiting crowded beaches with lots of families with small children. Leaky diapers, snotty noses, urine - no thanks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I learned people pee and poop in the ocean it lost its appeal for me, especially when visiting crowded beaches with lots of families with small children. Leaky diapers, snotty noses, urine - no thanks.

Animals pee and poop in the ocean too.

[Anonymous]

I used to like to frolic around in the ocean until once a wave knocked me down, wrung me out, ground me into the sand, turned me upside down, totally disoriented me so I didn't know which way was up or down, dragged me along the bottom and scared the life out of me as I was sure I was going to drowned before I finally came up choking and gasping and found my way out of the water.

Since then I like to walk on the beach, go in water of one foot or less, sit in the sun and read a book, sit by and swim in a pool close enough to smell and listen to the ocean, but I don't go in to battle with waves anymore.

[Anonymous]

Sand, jellyfish, algae, riptides, and good access to swimming pools for exercise swimming.

[Anonymous]

It’s a bottomless pit. This question sounds like something from Family Feud. Lol

[Anonymous]

I live in California now. Plenty of us swim in the ocean and kayak, stand up paddle boats, surf or boogie boats for hours even though the water is cold.

[Anonymous]

As for boomers and Gen Xers, most of us have never recovered from seeing Jaws in our youth.

[Anonymous]

Jaws.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Uhhhh. Maybe because there is better ocean swimming conditions in your country than on the east coast of the US. And what exactly is your beach sample size in making this judgement? Have you been to Hawaii or the west coast? People from the US swim in the ocean a lot in these places. I find your post quite odd.

DP here. I don’t find OP’s post odd at all. I’m also an immigrant who has noticed the same thing. In many resorts frequented by American tourists, you’ll find more people at the pool than at the beach. From talking to people, the reasons given are usually: 1. No sharks 2. No sand/critters
3. No waves/currents/riptides 4. No boats/jetskis.