As the Night Train Swimmers continue to stroke their way mile after mile along their 230-mile leg between Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara,they have encountered all kinds of marine life along the California coast.

But the best is for last. The Santa Barbara Fire Department is tracking two Great White Sharks outside Santa Barbara Harbor where the Night Train Swimmers expect to finish in the afternoon of Sunday.

But the Night Train Swimmers have been fighting off jellyfish that are bioluminescent and are between 6-12 inches (15-30cm). They are snake like and sting like red ants, resulting in a very sharp pain. According to Dr. Angel Yanagihara, “There is a whole host of microscopic zooplankton that can cause this type of diffuse rash like reaction [that are being experienced by the swimmers]. There are also larger colder water siphonophores with elaborate net-like tentacles that break easily. Delicate deep sea siphonophores come up at dusk. Their diffuse tentacles can cause this type of sea lice looking rashy itch sting.”

Photo shows Phil Cutti.

Copyright © 2012 by Open Water Source