Shark or man? I am less afraid to swim in the ocean than run in a forest alone

‘Fear is caused by the threat of impending danger … and statistically women are far more likely to be in danger from a man than from a wild animal.’ Photograph: Serge MELESAN/Getty Images/500px

“Aren’t you afraid of sharks?” the man asks.

We have just met and we’re talking about ocean swimming, which I have practised for a few years now. I started my forays into the ocean with the women I normally run with. Two have bronze medallions, so if I struggle there will be not one, but two people to save me.