Candice Bergen | 07/25/2009 4:00 pm

Candice Bergen's Love/Hate Relationship

In response to: Are you still a beach person? What beach phobias are you hiding?

I have always had a love/hate thing with the ocean. My brother taught my daughter to be ocean safe and confident and she loves it. I still swim sometimes, despite my advanced age, and kayak. My husband and I take our dogs on a beach walk every morning. Unless we’re in the city. Then we don’t. And I wear board shorts mostly to swim now and would wear slacks if I wouldn’t drown. And I hate the jellyfish. Who doesn’t? Sharks I don’t deal with. And I hope for dolphins if I swim in L.A.

Read more about: Animals, Beach, Family, Los Angeles, Pets, Travel

11 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Sat. July 25, 2009, Candice Bergen, thanks for your interesting article.

Yes, I do love going to the beach. I don’t really think about jellyfishes, sharks or other sea predators. I just enjoy the fresh air, the feel of the sand underneath my feet. The strong ocean water coming back and forth to kiss the sand. And the creme de la creme, the romantic sunset. Lastly, the nice restaurants by the sea like Bubba Shrimp Co. Love their grilled swordfish w/steamed spinach. Afterwards, an honest to goodness long walk by the Santa Monica bluff on Ocean Avenue. Nature is so wonderful and we SoCals are lucky to have the coast close by. Thanks!

By Lovely Soul on 07/25/2009 6:10 pm

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I agree with you Lovely Soul, i live in N.California and we too are blessed with wonderful beaches and little beach towns like Half Moon Bay. When i was recently divorced and money was tight i used to spend days at the beach with my youngest son, he would build castles and brigdes out of driftwood, and it only costs us a little bit of gas. Those trips to the beach became our therapy, we have a little routine. I believe that the negative ions of the ocean balance out whatever negativity one is carrying. We always feel that life is truly wonderful after a ride to the beach.

By jacq c on 07/25/2009 6:21 pm

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I live in Arizona right by the Colorado River ( no is not the ocean by any means!!) But I do like to go down and put my chair on the edge of the water and let the tide wash over my feet and legs as I read and relax and/or walk along te beach. It is the only way to survive in the hellish temps of 113-120. The river water is 65-70 degrees so is quite a nice cooler. We do what we have to do to enjoy the sun and water here in AZ!!

By Vicky DiNenna on 07/25/2009 6:25 pm

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I never swim..love looking at the ocean but no way im getting in…which has always been hard growing up near the coast of QLD in Asutralia. Not only do I burn in 4 sec but seeing Jaws at 6 created a fear of water that caused both frustration for my parents a continual fear or water, boats and even planes…I think I may be the only one afraid of flying because the thought of crashing into the ocean ;) sharks along with blue bottles (stingers) and sea snakes is enough to keep me at a distance.

By Jesse Lee on 07/25/2009 9:04 pm

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I’m in my early 50’s, and I loved growing up in LA. We used to ride our bikes to Seal Beach every summer. We body surfed, boogie boarded - you name it. As an adult, we’ve been moved all over the country (employment), but I still call LA home. We were moved back to LA in the late 1990’s for a few years; my kids really, REALLY enjoyed going to the beach. I particularly loved Zuma Beach, as they had - at that time - beach wheelchairs. My oldest daughter has cerebral palsy, and she could join in the family fun seamlessly, as (southern) California beaches do not allow vehicles - even wheelchair vans - on the beaches. Nothing charges the soul like gazing over the ocean at sunrise with a cup of coffee and a good book. God, I miss "home."

By Special Kay on 07/26/2009 9:15 am

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I love the water, be it a lake, ocean, river, pond or pool. thats the reason I joined the Navy instead of the Marine Corp. After my last bout with cancer my bones were very affected and a wave hit me in the wrong way and broke my leg. I’ve yet to go back to Atlantic beach, but I’ve a very strong feeling that within the next few wks I will be right back there. I’ve been swiming 10-12 lenghts of the pool where I live to get back in shape to take on the Atlantic Ocean. I found out yesterday my Breast Cancer has returned and I want to be in good conition so i can deal with the outcome of surgery and chemo, as I live alone and my nearest relative is 3 hrs away, I have to be in good health to be able to go to treatments.

As for the sharks I never go out far enough where they would be a threat. Last time I was at the beach a girl was attacked while surfing, I feel bad for her, but it also makes me glad that I never took up that sport. The young lady didn’t lose a limp but had a horable bite on her upper thigh. Just remember to stay close enough to the shore that so that a shark can’t get to you.

By Deniseann Taylor on 07/26/2009 3:46 pm

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Deniseann… i just saw where you said your breast cancer has returned. sorry to hear that. glad to hear you’re taking good physical care of yourself. I just did a research paper this year on exercise and breast cancer. the resutls for women who maintained and exercise routine even throughout their chemo were very positive. they can’t speak to survival rates but they could speak to quality of life and it was much better for the exercisers. Peace and strength be with you lady.

By Chrome Toe on 07/27/2009 8:54 am

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Chrome, when I got the news first I went to a restraunt and ate like a pig, everything I’ve avoided for the last five yrs. Then I went and bought a new bathing suit, went home put it on and went straight to the pool, I was in the Navy and I love the water, I swam 9 lengths on Friday, 10 on Sat and 13 on Sun. Today I’m not swiming I’ve got repair people coming and were expecting storms. But I will continue to swim either at the pool or beach until my surgery. I can’t walk far due to disk damage from an accident, but walking the dogs four times a day give me plenty of walking exersise. The last time I had breast cancer it had spread to the lymph nodes because I was misdiagnosed by my family care doc and she refused to give me a referral to another doctor, I informed the VA I wanted another doctor because I wasn’t getting the care I deserved and things got moving, a bit to late, but I pulled through.

I give worning to anyone who is told to use TAXOL chemo theraphy, I lost all feeling in my hands and feet from this medication, there are plenty of different types of chemo, just be careful if your told they want to use TAXOL.

thank you Chrome for your message, I really appreciate the support I’m getting from the ladies of WOW. God bless you all

By Deniseann Taylor on 07/27/2009 11:12 am

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I got stung by a jellyfish once. man that HURT. i’m not a big ocean fan. to many biting stinging pinching things in it for me. give me a nice lake or a pool any day. the ocean to me is a dangerous place. one to be respected and in awe of. i’m jealous of the folks who navigate it without fear. or who… like thos of us who ride motorcycles (also a dangerous sport) have the fear and love it so much they navigate it anyway. i’m just not one of them.

By Chrome Toe on 07/27/2009 8:52 am

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LOVE THE BEACH!!!!!! I live near the beach in SE NC… Often walk for miles.. and feel so at peace.. I swim in a pool, however… our water is loaded with sharks, gar, mackerel etc… not a fan of being cut with shells either..

By katie lady on 07/29/2009 12:18 pm

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Speaking of Dolphins… I was at the "The Catalina Island Ski Race" in a cigarette boat going flat out from long beach to the island when a pod of dolphins began jumping next to our boat. Oh my gosh! "Go! Go!" We waved up and off we went! Exhilarating feeling. Wish I had have been skiing it! I will next year though! Xx

By Bianca Moon on 08/05/2009 3:44 am