Guila Muir is an avid cold water swimmer from Washington who learned how to swim at the age of 46. While her experiences have been enjoyable and memorable, there was one encounter in August 2011 with jellyfish that she cannot never forget. “I saw and actually hit a Lion’s Mane jellyfish with my right hand. All I remember is the agony I experienced; it was unforgettable.

We basically can’t swim skin from June to September in northwest ocean waters [Washington state area] because of the multitudes of jellyfish. They are natural to this area, but of course made worse with warmer water and environmental degradation.”

Like Muir in Washington, swimmers, triathletes, surfers, beach goers, paddle boarders, fishermen, crew and kayakers can tell their own jellyfish stories at the jellyfish database, IGotStung.com.

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