I always waterski and wakeboard a few times with at the Sammy Duvall Watersports Centre at the Contemporary.
Last year while getting ready to start up in the water (far side of Bay lake in the "waterski zone" I had a *very* large water mocassin snake pass between me and my waterski (which was attached to my foot).
Later I talked to the driver about it - he said that he sees them all the time. I did not get bitten - but apparently the bite is very painful and causes some swelling.
Anyway - I was always told that swimming was discouraged because of bacteria levels, not gators. The gators are a given, and will avoid people (over age 2-3) at all costs. I've skied very close to them, and they are no bother (in fact they swim away).
Last year while getting ready to start up in the water (far side of Bay lake in the "waterski zone" I had a *very* large water mocassin snake pass between me and my waterski (which was attached to my foot).
Later I talked to the driver about it - he said that he sees them all the time. I did not get bitten - but apparently the bite is very painful and causes some swelling.
Anyway - I was always told that swimming was discouraged because of bacteria levels, not gators. The gators are a given, and will avoid people (over age 2-3) at all costs. I've skied very close to them, and they are no bother (in fact they swim away).