When did you first see the ocean? What was it like?

Lex · Post by **Lex** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:24 am

We've been on Cape Cod for a few days. We met a couple who I found really fascinating. They were from Indiana, were in their late 20s and had never seen the ocean before.

As an East Coaster, most people I know were introduced to the ocean as very young kids. I don't have a first memory of the ocean. It was always there, a part of my life from before memories began. I do have memories of my first experience of an ocean in the tropics. So I was really intrigued by what it would have been like to first encounter an ocean as an adult. These folks had flown over oceans on their way to Europe, but had never actually stood at the edge of one. I really enjoyed hearing them talk about it.

It got me curious if anyone here was an adult when they first experienced an ocean and what their recollections of it were.

bdkane · Post by **bdkane** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 12:48 am

It was BIG... and wet!
SORRY

Kidding aside - I'm with you, also from the east coast, it's just always been there. I often say I take it for granted.

A few years back while on a visit to Cape May NJ, we met a family, a group of about 8, ages ranging from early twenties to late 50's maybe, the only one that had ever been to an ocean beach before was the eldest male while in the military, I thought they where pulling my leg...

sea-nile · Post by **sea-nile** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:45 am

4 years old and I was immediately in love with it!

I wanted to explore it from that day.

Kealani · Post by **Kealani** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:51 am

I am an east coaster-I was far to young to remember my first encounter with the ocean. My children were babies so they won't remember either. However this summer we had friends visiting with there children 7&10. The kids were mostly amazed by the tides and how much of the beach would be covered or uncovered. I hope that the wonder, I saw on their faces stays with them.

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:25 am

Another East Coaster - we would camp at Cape Henalopean (I know I spelled that wrong) as our summer vacation each year. I don't remember my first visit, it was just always something we did.

A couple of years ago we vacation with a big group. There were friends of friends along from somewhere out west. They were in their late 30s, early 40s and it was their first time at the ocean. Neither of them could swim yet they were playing in the waves in water up to their necks. I was terrified they would lose their footing and drown.

Chet · Post by **Chet** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:56 am

Cape Henlopen. There's a spot known as Naval Jetties at the end of the park - best surf in DE when the swell is up. We have a shack in Rehoboth Beach.

The first "picture" of me at the beach was my pregnant mother on Jones Beach, NY. We summered in Little Compton, RI. The ocean has always been a part of my life.

A short story:
I was the membership coordinator for the Annapolis Surf Club. Some "guy" (Tim Guy) from Wisconsin reached out to me because he was moving to the Baltimore area. He had been lake surfing for years. He emailed me when he left, and called me a couple of times on the road. 6:00am Saturday morning he calls, "I'm parked in front of the shack!". He was stoked to see the ocean so I grabbed a board and we headed down to the jetty in front of the Henlopen Hotel. I left after 2 hours - he was still going strong.

sailorgirl · Post by **sailorgirl** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:04 pm

I too am an east coaster so the ocean is in my vienna, but at 16 my cousin brought a friend to our beach house. he was from Wisconsan. it was one of the days when the waves were wild and he did cartwheels down the sand.

SOonthebeach · Post by **SOonthebeach** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:11 pm

Not and east coaster but have lived on both coasts a little growing up- I also have no memory of the first time- too young. We are in TX now but such beach people that both of our kids also will have no memory of their first ocean signting- the little one first saw the ocean at age 2 on STJ!! Can't imagine a life without the sea in it- at least sometimes. Sure wish I lived by it like a lot of you lucky ones!

Our kids actually just saw the mountains for the first time this summer

But I still think they like the ocean more....

Ron in South Texas · Post by **Ron in South Texas** » Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:14 pm

I lived on the Texas coast all my life...The bay was 200 yards away until I was 6. After that, it was about 1 mile and I was fishing...

Now, Its 35 minutes...

Jan&MikeVa · Post by **Jan&MikeVa** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 8:38 am

Great Topic!
I'm an East Coaster too, so I don't remember my first visit. We spent every summer in Ocean City, MD and it was just a part of me.

I do remember though our first trip to the Caribbean.

We were on a charter flight and finally got to our rooms about 1am. We didn't care, we took off our shoes and ran to the beach........just to feel the sand and the softness of the waves. Awesome

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 1:03 pm

Ha! This thread isn't turning out exactly as you expected, Lex! We seem to be mostly ocean people...an interesting fact in itself! I'm with everyone else, but I grew up on the west coast and was taken to the beach as a baby (my husband too!) Even the city we grew up in is named Long Beach! We have always lived by the water and I'm sure we could never move inland.

I do, however, remember my first experience with that turquoise Caribbean water, and I have a picture of myself in a boat in the Exuma Cays on that most perfect day of my life (until I found the USVI!)

Greenskeeper · Post by **Greenskeeper** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:03 am

I don't remember the first time I saw the ocean but I guess would liken the experience to first time I saw the Great Lakes. I could not imagine what people were talking about...psssh a lake like an ocean. Give me a break.

I was awestruck.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:14 pm

I grew up 1 mile from Lake Huron and thought that it was an ocean! I learned to swim there in swim classes.
The first ocean was the east coast off Rhode Island. Then it was Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. The first Caribbean was St. John. It was amazing.

Lex · Post by **Lex** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 11:27 am

Right, CG. The thread surprised me. Since the forum membership is pretty wide-reaching, I was expecting a good number of people who hadn't seen the ocean until they were adults. I so enjoyed talking with this couple on Cape Cod about what it was like for them that I was hoping for more.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:38 pm

Growing up in MI, but moving to CO at 22, I am surprised at how many CO folks have still never been to the ocean. They were born in a land locked State and have never left. To me, that's a bit strange. They also do not know how to swim and have never snorkeled.

When we go to our neighborhood pool, they are easy to spot as they only go in the water with a "noodle". LOL!

usvi-on-line

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When did you first see the ocean? What was it like?

When did you first see the ocean? What was it like?