That time I almost drowned in Mexico

I've been contemplating taking a trip to Cabo this year and whenever I have these thoughts I'm reminded of the eve that I almost drowned where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. Ok, I might be over dramatizing just a little bit, but seriously, I almost drowned. It was day one of the trip and we specifically had chosen a hotel on the "swimming" beach. Cabo is known for its rough shores and strong undertow, but there is a little section of beach that is designated for swimmers. Most beaches are lined with guards and if you get even a toe in the water they are blowing their whistle at you. I had visited Cabo the previous year with my mom and we swam in the ocean and were just fine. This time we were a little further down the beach in a not so protected area, but it was the "swimming" beach. We arrived at the hotel at 5 and headed straight to the beach. The sunset was absolutely gorgeous, radiant purples and pinks. Breathtaking. Of course this is the one day I did not bring my camera. SHAME ON ME. Scott and I headed into the ocean along with a ton of other people that were already swimming. We were floating in the waves just outside the surf and suddenly the tides shifted and I wasn't paying attention. I went to stand for a second and as soon as I found sand, I was hit by a wave and sucked down into the tow. They aren't kidding when they say you have no idea which way is up or down, but I was JUST STANDING and now I can't find the surface or the sand for that matter. Panic set in as I was struggling to find the surface. Just before I was out of air I found the floor. I popped my head up, with a look of pure panic on my face and locked eyes with Scott for a millisecond before I was hit again! All I could think in this second tumble was oh my god I might die in Mexico. Somehow I found my way up again and this time I didn't take any chances. I bolted to the shore. Scott by this time was right next to me, concern on his face.
Scott: "Oh my god are you ok? For a minute I thought I was going to have to call for a life guard cause I couldn't see you at all, even though I knew you were right here."
Me: (As I'm swimming slash running to the shoreline for safety) "You were about 2 seconds from needing too, I actually just escaped death!"
Scott: "Are you getting out?"
Me: "Hell ya I'm getting out, I don't want to die in Mexico"

I made my way out of the water, I didn't even bother to rinse the pounds of sand that were in my hair and bathing suit. It was too much of a risk. I made my way to the safety of the beach shower instead.

A couple days later we were on the beach with another California couple and they said that someone had died on this beach a couple of weeks before. (That isn't the first time I've heard this in Cabo). Also, in the same day Scott and I are just sunbathing on the beach and we see a man in his 40's trying to get out of the surf. Twenty minutes later his son calls for the life guard and he is literally pulled out of the surf. Swim trunks around his ankles.  You don't want to be this poor guy, so be careful in Cabo. Here are a few photos from my two trips.

Happy on the safe beach :)

Note: I've swam in the ocean many times. I know about undertows and wouldn't call myself an amateur swimmer. If you are not a STRONG swimmer, do not swim in Cabo. Unless it is in the protected cove of Medano Beach directly adjacent to the Marina. Way more protection. See photo for the perfect place to swim.