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Surf Life Saving Down Under
By Dhani Jones on April 27, 2009 12:13 PM | Permalink | 42 Comments
When you were younger there was always that thing that scared you -- a door that seemingly led to nowhere, a space in the attic or simply a monster in your closet. No matter what your parents said, no matter how many times they told you it was okay, somehow it was not so okay. You definitely were not going to go into the attic, open the door or step foot in that closet. That was it and if they tried, oh you would scream until all hell broke loose. Well in Australia, I had no choice but to face my fear of the Great White.
Ask anyone on the largest island in the world (side note from the fact checker --Greenland is the largest island in the world. Although Australia also meets the definition of an island -- a piece of land surrounded by water -- it is large enough to be considered its own continent) about the Great White and many of them will deny their fear. Ask anyone in Fresh Water Beach and they will comment on the beauty of this monster and say it is a blessing to have so many of them. I say, no way. I say these monsters are scary and they have to be held away from me. Yeah and I know what your thinking, 6'1", 235 pound NFL linebacker, scared? Yeah well, if something was 20 feet long, weighed 2 tons, had razor sharp teeth, a very substantial appetite and a pretty good win- loss record (except in the movies) you'd be scared as well. But look, I'm the one that signed up for this; I'm the one that will have to brave it. And sure, I could sit there and throw the famous meat pies of Sydney at them, take a Jet boat and try to run over them or simply row in a Surf Life Saving boat and view them from above. I could have done that, but then Surf Life Saving would have never happened for me.
Surf Life Saving is all about being in the water and braving the very monsters that capture people, except in this line of work you have to rescue the people.
So comes the day of the Fresh Water Beach Carnival after an arduous week of enduring 5 a.m. swims (thanks to the series producer Jonathan), 5 a.m. runs on the beach (Jonathan), and 5 a.m. set ups for the best light (oh, JONATHAN ... You catch my drift).
Side note: We shot this episode right after the season was over, so I really didn't want to wake up so early. I had 6 months of waking up early, let a brother rest ... okay back to the blog.
Yeah the competition ... I had to swim 1000 meters out in the monster of an ocean and back. Do you know how far that is? One thousand meters times two, in the ocean and back with monstrous currents that goes along with it. Good thing I know how to swim fast. The sound of the gun cracked and we were off. I jump into the water about mid pack and I'm hanging in there. Suddenly I just feel alone, I feel like I'm the only one out there. The funny thing is, I popped my head up and I didn't see anyone. So I'm kicking along in the water with my go to stroke and suddenly out of nowhere, like your mother during your house party, I see this 1957 grey Cadillac cruise by. Now I'm not sure what to think, I was scared out of my mind but I couldn't panic. I had to be calm, I had to relax and do deep breathes, in and out...wooosssiiighhhh. I'm thinking I'm dead, my mother's going to be so upset. Luckily for me that Great White didn't like dark meat. He just looked over, gave me a nod, said what's up and I did the same. That's what I call a brother moment. Needless to say I came in dead last, ran up the beach and told my story but nobody believed me. So here it is in writing, Dhani Jones survived a Shark Attack (okay, okay ... mental shark attack) and lived to tell about it.
42 Comments
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Brother moment in deed. Glad to know grey Cadillacs don't like dark meat. :-)
I love your show. I've always wondered how the rest of the world played. Your a great role model for others to venture out and see and experience the rest of world. I haven't seen tonights Australia episode, although I have seen pics. I take my hat off to you. I don't think I'm ready for the deep blue sea. Your a joy to watch. May you continue to have much success in all things.
For real that was a brotha' moment! Thank God it just kept crusin'.
Glad to read you're conquering bigger fish...mammals. Love the show and the blog. Looking forward to another season.
Wow !
LMAO. Priceless story!
Ehhh...I am not so sure about this one Dhani...are you sure the cold water wasn't affecting your mental state at that time?? Could your eyes possibly have been playing tricks on you?
Do you have video/picture footage to back this up?
I would like to see the footage please! lol
(BTW...love the show!)
Remember this moment when its 3rd and inches and the Colts (or whoever) are driving for the win.
Great Show. Glad to see a great representative of the NFL, the US, and the African American community. Plus your show made my girl like my hair style, its the same lol
Gotta love the way you expand your boundaries and try different things while you travel, from the little fishes to the grubs. While I can’t get down with the food experiments, I am taking your example and pushing my boundaries next week with a little cave tubing and zip lining during my lovely vacation in Belize. Thought you should know you are inspiring me as well as amusing me (striped banana hammock lol!)
What a show! I love it Man. This is the first time for me to write on a blog!...shows how much i enjoy watching Dhani blending easily in the cultures that he visits. Man! he makes me wants to hump on a plane and just go, let myself go....
All I have to say is wow! Speaking on behalf of the female audience of this show, you looked really great in your Speedos! Thanks Dhiani!
Dude, Love you, Love your show. I can't wait to watch your next adventure! You kill me with your comments and how much fun your havin'!!! The hard work you put into learning their games is a true insight into "Who 'D' Is"!!
Tnx.
DHONEY WHAT CAN I SAY...LOVE THE SHOW!!!YOUR CONFIDENCE COMES THROUGH THE T.V.!! YOUVE GOT BRAINS N BODY WOOOOOW!!!!WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS YOU IN AFRICA..WITH NOTHING BUT A BANANA LEAF AND A SPEAR! LOL!!! MAKE IT HAPPEN! GOOD LUCK IN ALL YOUR TRAVELS... H TOWN
Dhani,
As always loved the show, looks like you had quite a time and quite a workout as well! Even got used to the budgie smugglers everyone had to wear. Points for staying true to the uniform and bustin your ass to try to keep up. It's true that football shape does not translate to surf lifesaving shape. Keep doin good for the people and look forward to more.
Peace
Hey Dhani, love the show! It just keeps getting better and better. You're fun, charming and most of all, a real guy having fun living life. I'm an American but my family and I moved to Japan last year. I hoping you come over here next season as I think it would be fun to see you try Sumo. You've got a fan for life no matter what football team you're playing for!
Dhani is a renaisance man. What a gift to be able to meld with different cultures and make it look to effertless. the show is entertaining and interesting . love it.
Dhani, what can I say? You crack me up! Just one suggestion; don't wear those black trunks anymore, not real flattering. And this is coming from a woman who "Truly Admires you". Don't wear'em! No Mas! Other than that, the show was great, as always! You look like
you belong in the water and from the looks of it, with a little more training, you could truly be a lifesaver! Coo do's to you again Dhani!
Dhani - just watched the show. Looks like you could have a 2nd career in flag racing once you retire from the NFL! Love the show - keep it up!
Dhani, your show is so on point! You are a wild one (in a good way that is)! It is so great to see someone that has a real appreciation, respect, and a vested interest in other cultures. I think your show is one that will leave the people of Europe with a renewed spirit about Americans in general. Thanks for creating a show that has substance, character, and lots of entertainment! Best of luck on many more adventures.
I just watched the show last night AUSTRALIA, I am hooked! Dhani is a role model for the human race! What a great personality that young man has, God bless those parents of his! Keep traveling Dhani, keep bringing it!
I applaud you for tackling one of your fears. I have to say I would tackle that fear but one fear I will never tackle is being near snakes. This is one of those fears that will stick with me for the rest of my life. Isn't it funny how I would rather be near a shark than a snake??!! LOL I mean I can outrun a snake but you can't out swim a shark. I applaud you and the show. My friends and I will be at the games cheering you and the Bengals on this upcoming football season.
Dhani, thank you for a great adventure each week. You have such a beautiful personality. You expose me to the regular people in each country. You should be offered the job of Good Will Ambassador after you retire from the NFL. I am very proud of you and the positive vibes you bring to NFL and the African American community. Keep up the excellent work and keep having fun!
Major props to swimming 2000 meters in the open ocean--that is no joke! Your show is the best show on TV!
When is season one DVD coming out, it's mine! Weight loss tip - watch Dhani while you do cardio, you'll travel the globe, forget the time and enjoy some mancandy! Samoa for season two, please.
Love love
Dhani...kangaroo beef? LMAO!!! Did you think you were actually eating kangaroo meat? Then the kicker " Are there cows in Australia?". That was a special momment for me. What's funny though that I went off on that tangent with you and starting think, is kangaroo meat beaf. That was hillarious. PLUS, when you were in that shark tank and that shark swam over you...classic. LMAO!!! I really enjoyed this episode. I really hope you get another season!!!
Looking forward to the Cambodia episode!!!
All I gotta say is Dhani in those Speedos......Lord Have Mercy!!!!!!
You are one wild, fun guy. I would have loved to have drank some beer (maybe not 10)and gone on that jet boat with you. And you didn't spew. I was LMAO. You're the man Dhani! One word for you in the Speedos, NICE!
Dhani, great show! I always look forward to Mondays. I like how you immerse yourself in another culture and genuinely enjoy and learn from it. In return, the people you've met respect you a great deal. Dhani, you have good karma! Keep up the good work, Brotha!
Dhani, man I love your show.With that said, one word brother....."CARDIO". LOL
Love all the shows - but the show in Aus was nostalgic. I grew up in Freshwater - several times during the show I could see the condo where I lived all my childhood. Very, very cool. Great job on competing in the carnival! You don't just learn the surf overnight.
Dhani, you're a man of style! What's the name of the swimwear store you shopped at in Australia?
hahaha Dharni... please there were no sharks that day - I was there competing too! Still think you should have checked the shark net for me... maybe then you might have seen one!! we didnt get to see the show in Australia :( from what I read it was great though, enjoy your journeys
Dharni...my sister,Naomi,told me all about your visit to Freshy...are you sure that it was a shark??...Maybe it was a big grey dolphin??...After all she had you worried about the shark net,you may have been seeing things...
We don't get the show over here in Vanuatu but would love to see it...To tackle what you do is impressive...Hope to see the show(s) someday
Dhani find a country where you can play cricket. Australia has a pretty good team, but you should visit someplace like India where cricket is a religion or perhaps the English-speaking Caribbean and put your athletic skills to the test.
Enjoy watching your reactions and comments... I think that is what makes this show relevent to me. You pretty much say what most of us would say when presented with the same challenges. Keep up the good work, enjoy life.
Hopefully that grey cadilac, didn't like dark meat....
I enjoy watching your programs at Travel Channel's Dhani.
The Great White like some of the Great white race are prejudiced against the Great black race. You just happened to run into a Great White that is not a prejudiced shark. You were lucky and you are nuts.
If I would have been brushed by a great white, up close and personal, I would have been scared out of my life.
If something would have happened to you, your mother would have been more than upset.
Love your show. I've seen sports in your show that I would have never imagined.
Wow what a scary adventure, glad you can tell it
I can’t get down with the food experiments, I am taking your example and pushing my boundaries next week with a little cave tubing and zip lining during my lovely vacation in Belize
You thinking of bringingtogether those to album with photos and comments ?