The body of open water swimmer and triathlete Erica Fox has been found after a fatal incident with a shark just south of Davenport Beach near Santa Cruz on Tuesday, December 30, after going missing on December 21.
Fox, 55, was part of an open-water swimming group known as the Kelp Krawlers, and for more than two decades, 16 swimmers would gather at Lovers Point in Pacific Grove on Sunday mornings to swim. On December 21st, 16 went out, and only 15 swimmers returned.
According to Monterey County Now, a swimmer who had already left the water reportedly saw a shark just off the point. 911 was called for a shark in the water by a man who was not a part of the Kelp Krawlers.
The local Fire Department and the Kelp Krawlers worked ot make sure all members were removed from the water, and that was when it was discovered that Fox had not made it back with the group.
Authorities then launched a search mission that Monday (December 22), involving numerous US Coast Guard crews and local fire and police department personnel. According to the Guardian, the 15-hour search covered about 84 square miles but was suspended after Fox was not found.
Just under a week later, firefighters announced that they had found Fox’s body on Davenport Beach on December 28.
Her body still had a “shark band” around the ankle, an electromagnetic device worn to help keep sharks away.
Fox’s death is the second fatal shark attack to occur at Lovers Point in over 70 years; the first was a 17-year-old boy in 1952.
Shark attacks in the US are rare, and fatal attacks are even more rare. According to the Associated Press, the odds of getting attacked by a shark are less likely than getting struck by lightning or being mauled by a bear.
According to the Associated Press, this is not the first dangerous encounter that the group had with a shark; in 2022, fellow Kelp Krawler Steve Brummer was severely injured after being attacked by a great white shark, and he was also wearing a “shark band” at the time of his attack.
The Kelp Krawlers met on the 28th in a walk to honor their fellow teammate, who finished two half Ironmans and a variety of other triathlon races in her career.
“She didn’t want to live in fear,” her husband, Jean-Francois Vanreusel, said in an article by the Associated Press. “She lived her life fully.”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Unfortunately over fishing of our oceans, changes the dynamics in the food chain. It will only get worse!
And that is why I do not swim in the ocean
Calling lovers point “near Santa Cruz” is kinda crazy. That’s like 30 miles away down the coast. It’s right next to Monterey, north of Big Sur. I believe her body was recovered near Santa Cruz.
With that said, super tragic. Lovers point is beautiful and that cove is usually very calm. Been in that water many times when I was younger- frankly glad I don’t open swim in the ocean any more. To everyone out there, get someone out there to spot on a kayak if you’re gonna open water swim in the pacific!
I don’t think a kayak would have made any difference in this case. It was most likely an ambush attack from the depths. This is the worst case scenario Great White Shark encounter that should make anyone think twice about playing the odds. Perhaps swimming alongside a boat with a motor running is the only thing I could think of since it would confuse the sharks since they don’t normally hunt seals next to motor boats.
I’ve been following this tragic story on other outlets. The article contains some errors related to the geography which is important to get right. Erica Fox was attacked in Pacific Grove in Monterey. Nowhere near Santa Cruz. Different county. 1hr drive south. Her body washed ashore near Davenport Beach to the west of Santa Cruz, after being carried in the currents for at least 50 miles, but the attack did not occur anywhere around Santa Cruz or Davenport Beach. RIP Erica.
On the bright side some small fish survives that day! Condolence
My condolences, such a sad loss. It takes great courage to swim in open water.
The article mentions that both swimmers attacked by sharks were wearing shark repellent bands. Do these bands work?
Obviously not…..
I think you’ve answered your own question.