Open water, closed minds. How one woman, the Sea, and a Dangerous Shark changed an ancient, outdated rule in one intense adventure.

Seychelle was just 20 years old a day ago. Her namesake came from the Achepallago Seychelles, a large grouping of many small islands off the African coast, and was given to her (she always thought it was a weird name) by her mother, whom she had never known. Seychi (her around Island nickname) was told all the time that she looked just like her gorgeous (always big emphasis here, she thought she looked like Caps.) mama. She had come to accept that she most likely never would meet her Mother, as she was a renowned Marine Biologist off to save the World's Oceans far away. Seychi decided long ago it was 0kay, what and who she had was fine for her, it was cool what her mom did; after all, she was out to do pretty much the same. Yes, she had her very own idea of how she could make a difference during her stay on the planet. Suddenly remembering through her soggy Birthday haze, she had brazenly stated to her closest people what her "Grand plan" really was. She, Seychi aka; "Fishfin" was going to become a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer. She recalled that after she finished speaking, you could've heard a pin drop. Suddenly she was overwhelmed with several emotions at once. She was relieved that she had told everyone, terrified that she had committed and could not, would not turn back. Seychelle was well aware of the percentage of successful female candidates to males and she did not really mind. After all, wasn't she just like her mother? As she continued to think through what she had said, how her friends and others she cared for reacted, she became more and more sure of herself and that her decision to become one of the few females to attempt becoming a full ranking U.S. Coast Gaurd rescue swimmer was the right one. Seychelle to0k a deep breath and hopped out of bed to make her signature Cuban Coffee "Fog Breaker" for Dadso before he started grumbling louder than his stomach.

Seychelle had always been left on her own to figure out the basics in life. She had for the most part raised herself, with the exception of Captain Rubio, a local "hero" Sea Captain who had adopted her as a small child. The undying love she was lucky to have from Captain R. was no mystery, as it was considered one of Looe Key's best stories. He was her hero, her best friend, confidant, and for lack of a better title, her Dadso. It was the silly nickname she saddled him with when she was 4. She loved him dearly and he loved her as if she was his own. To the mild chagrin of Capps, the nickname stuck. The story of Capps and Seychelle was a much-speculated topic and changed themes regularly within the local circles. How colorful and tall it became depended on how colorful the one telling was. The small key was a hub for gossip. The local island dwellers came from all over, they wanted the simple island life, the slow and casual kind, like... yes, Jimmy Buffet sings. They found it here on Leewe Key, love it so much most don't leave. (The ones that do, are persuaded somehow.) The story goes from what those (gossip newsies) in the know believed, that Caps Ruby really was her daddy. It was said he was head over heels in love with Seychi's mother Eliza, and when she (back in the day, as Caps would say) was on their little Looe key taking a break from research, he would follow her around and offer her anything her heart desired during her stay and would take her anywhere she wanted to go by way of his (in his mind) "mini-yacht" from Looe Key to destination heaven if she asked. It was a sweet story but with a confusing edge for the locals, especially Captain Rubio, who suffered from a very broken heart. Most of the Island locals, fond of both Seychi and Caps, kept it hushed around the two. It did not slip by either one, of course, but the polite Island lubbers that they were, ignored and said nothing about the rumors. As it always does, Island life went on at a slow and satisfying pace, leaving a quiet non-threatening wake and happy-go-lucky feel about the atmosphere the folks breathed every day. All in all, Looe Key, (the locals call it Love Key) really all the Florida keys have always been pleasantly simple and outrageously beautiful.

Seychelle had lived her entire existence so far, within the sanctuary of the Florida keys, leaving only when she accompanied Dadso on trips to the outer keys for fishing, diving excursions, and/or supplies. Then there were the super fun trips to Miami or Tampa for Swim meets and Triathalons with her sort-of ex-boyfriend Jason. They both loved to compete and were always training against each other, mostly at home in the wilds of the Open Ocean. This gave them both an edge that few of their competitors had. These trips also included shopping, dining, concerts, and such. She and Jay had decided to maintain their relationship as friends for now, as they had both made plans to enlist in different branches of the military, and they loved each other enough to believe it would somehow work out. He was older, so was already on active duty in the Navy, somewhere far off in the Baltic Sea, and she missed him big time. Having already completed her academic requirements on Jason's laptop the last time he was on leave, she also passed her physical with flying colors as her hard work and Jason's constant challenges really paid off. She was in prime condition like never before, so now she was impatiently awaiting her final results. If everything is good, goes as planned, she's off to take the daunting Open Water Field test. When asked, she would not admit fear or show apprehension, she'd just smile calmly and say "Im ready to do the best I can." Deep within her soul, she knew her destiny was at sea, and she figured that what she could do with a job that allowed her hours at sea, a good salary with benefits is a pretty good start towards her goal of promoting better protection for Humans in distress, but just as important, our oceans natural eco-system, and all that dwells in it. In her deepest self, she was also truly terrified. It came to her like a dream, strange and far off, kind of like an echo in the back of her mind. Something was waiting for her to get to a place in need of fixing. She really had no idea it was her destiny edging her forward, she just had an innate need to follow the prompts.

It was no surprise to everyone else that not long after her birthday announcement about joining the Guard, she got her acceptance letter. First an e-mail, via an overseas call from a very excited Jay, then a certificate came in the mail with Water Seal and all for completion of entrance exams, a badge for exemplary results, and last but not least with this jaw-dropping letter, an invite to "swim test" for her pending entry to the dreaded by all, passed by few, Coast Guard Rescue "boot camp." If the time comes that these accomplishments aline, she will have earned her place in a special group of women who are the United States Coast Guard Elite. "Wow! she actually sh0uted out loud to herself mostly, because the sudden realization hit her like a crashing wave on the beach, just how close she was to her life's dream becoming a reality.

"Yikes!" Seychelle didn't realize she had reacted out loud again because she had been asleep and woke herself up from a strange and frightening dream with her yelp. All she could remember of it was a treacherous storm sea, a lost boat, and there were a bunch of sharks in the sky. "Weird" she whispered, Then, was really surprised when Milla (her friend from Cuba that stayed with her and Dadso whenever she had a break from her studies at Miami U. ) "What is it? Damn, I thought you saw the Madre de Agua!" (a large apparition resembling the Anaconda, in Cuban folklore, it cruelly haunts the minds of ones carrying bad karma.) "No, no, I am just, surprised." Seychi said in a quiet v0ice. Looking at her friend with a blank stare. "Okay, Miha! Ju knew (speaking in a heavy Cuban accent and motherly, calming tone) ju knew ju were going, so time is for celebrationes! C'mon Chiquita, dance with me, dance like we are in Havanna!" Seychelle sat still a moment h0lding Milla's hand with a vise grip, then suddenly jumped up and let out a "Hell Yes!" that was louder and stronger than she had ever heard her voice express. Then she pulled Milla into a Tango dip, laughed a sinister laugh, and said "Get the blender out Miha Milla! Princessa Cubana, ju know the party drill, call EVERYBODY! Tell them we are bringin' Taledego Nights and Little Havanna to life right here on Love Key!" The girls were as close as twin sisters would be, they even looked alike. Again, another keystone holding gossip corner open for business. For the locals, it was irresistible, as Captain Rubio is full-blooded Cubano, and Seychelle looks like she stepped out of the classic dance film, "Havanna Nights." As Milla ran to make a blender full of frozen Mohitos, Seychi excited for a fun party before the seriousness of her undertaking came and changed her life completely, she slid on her favorite dress, added Rhumba-safe footwear and she was ready to..." wait, " (whispering to herself, she was forgetting something...) "Oh," she remembered then how Jay loved it when she wore just a touch of soft pink on her lips, and that made her intensely sad for a moment, then she added the lipstick, ran to Milla. They did party like it was the final day of Castro, all the bells and whistles, the girls even took a charter to Miami for one night, and "Painted the Town Red!" as the old folks would say. It truly was a night to remember.

Headed for home base Sunday night, tired and sporting big Mojito headaches, Seychi was ready to report back to reality. Once home she slipped on her Racing Shorty and her booties, preparing for a brutal training swim. Sadly she would be alone this time, and for a little while into her future. She had known and accepted their situation, and that she would not have the support and solid perseverance that Jay so easily lent her. It was hard at times, but she was confident she could do this. She dove in where the reef dropped to 60' and the swell had a chop most swimmers might find more than a challenge. Seychelle felt strong, as she moved easily through the turbulent water. On the return to her place of entry she always kept her sense of direction, it is very easy to get lost and diligence on focal points is imperative to survival in open water. The return swim is cool down, letting her muscles relax and recuperate. This usually is the time she enjoyed the beauty of the waters she knew she sometimes took for granted. This particular swim she had been understandingly preoccupied. She was in deep thought when a strong and familiar feeling came over her. Instantly she snapped alert and assessed how far she was from her exit point. The strange feeling was of being watched. Watched by something that was a threat if she panicked, and Jay had taught her well. She kept her pace steady and rhythmic, knowing not to try and see where or what it was, just move forward steadily, no sudden movements causing more sound. It is terrifying but your chances of survival go down drastically if allowed to panic. Then she saw the Bull Shark pacing her to her rear left. She feltr heart and stomach in her mouth, made it hard pray, or breathe. She went completly blank as she machanically moved toward the beach.

Seychelle woke slowly and for a moment had no idea where she was. What was this strange metal bed? She lay a moment trying to clear the heavy fog that heavily set in her head. She sat up then as this handsome man came in with a hot cup of coffee, asking how she was feeling with a big grin on his face. "Who are you?" She asked. He laughed, then apologized in a formal manner, and then introduced himself as Seargent Major Jim Seleski, at your service Private Ribiero. It that moment it all came rushing back. It took her about an hour to obtain total recall, she had been asleep for approximately 26 hours. She was too exhausted to put it in military time, and she was ravenous. Entering the mess hall that she was barely acquainted with yet, full to capacity with unfamiliar faces was in itself intense. Then the faces had mesmerized, gape-mouthed stares looking right at her? All around the mess hall were mostly men, looking directly at her and it reminded her of the birthday night she announced her plans to become a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer, and how you could have heard a pin drop. Then suddenly the mess hall turned into a roar of clapping, loud screams of joy, and praises for her bravery in the face of real danger. She looked on feeling as if she was not attached to her own feet. Seychelle had become a hero. Wow, she thought, n0t yet completely understanding what had come about twenty-some hours ago.

She just listened to what was being said directly to her. First, there were officers that took her again to medical because she was still so lethargic. She didn't remember at all the first time. They were talking amongst themselves while the Doctors assessed her. She heard something about the Open Water test becoming a nightmare when one of her fellow competitors saw a Shark swimming near him, and panicked. He started scrambling around and screaming, she heard and something about chaos. The Doctor gave the all-clear signal and two High ranking Officers, along with the Seargent she knew came over and stood at attention before her. They actually saluted her, paused, then the Seargent spoke formally and Addressed her directly. He said, "Ms. Rubio, this business is unprecedented prior to this day. I, Seargent Selesky hereby swear you, Ms. Seychelle Rubio to immediate service with the U.S. Coast Guard team training Rescue Unit 4, as an accredited E-5 level training supervisor. There will be a formal swear-in at Tampa Training facility at o400 Fri 7-3-21. At Ease." Seychi couldn't seem to catch her breath as her recall of the events leading up to this came rushing back to her. She remembered hearing herself shouting orders at the men, but it seemed like she was outside her mind looking at the grisly scene. She was telling them to remain calm, screaming it as she swam toward a drowning man. Swimming, fast as she could, and swiftly arriving to help the panicking man that proceeded to nearly drown her with his struggling, then blank. Frustrated, she couldn't quite remember what happened next, it was jumbled and fragments came and went. The Officers all smiled and told her it is mild hypothermia, her memory will return in full soon. They went on to fill her in with details of her heroism. Soon they were laughing uproariously, at how she brought him back with her to the ship station, with little help from her peers. He was near drowned but stable and she was telling him off about how irresponsible he was. They also told how she kept worrying in her delirium that he was going to go back and kill the shark. She was told there was a special guest coming aboard later on that evening, an approved visitor to see her, allowed on board, as he was an officer of the Navy. "Jay." She smile-whispered his name.

Sharks are highly misunderstood predators. They are a "Fearsome Beast" to many. Fortunately science is working hard on functional ways to alleviate the fears that humans have about all sharks, some are not a danger, though still treated as such. Forces are at work to minimalize unwanted meetings between shark and man. We as humans need to remember the ocean, and some freshwaters are their natural domain, we are simply borrowing it, so remember to be respectful, it is what you would want on your land.