Just the mention of the word shark inspires terror into the hearts of most people. After all, who in their right mind would jump into shark-infested waters as if they were paddling in a tank full of guppies?
Two young Polish women named Janeta and Dorota would, and indeed do, as part of their work with the German "Florida Shark Show" which is currently in St Petersburg. Based in Cologne, the shark attraction is touring Russia until the end of the summer and has pitched its tent by the metro on Leninsky Prospect.
Spectators are invited to take their seats before a massive illuminated aquarium containing four Lemon sharks and two other varieties which look like something straight out of "Jaws."
Minutes later Dorota, clad in a bright red scuba suit, takes the plunge and swims merrily alongside these awesome prehistoric creatures as though they were dolphins.
Are they afraid? "We're used to it by now," said Dorota, who has been with the show for a year and studied sharks in Poland for two years. "Of course the first time I was terrified, but they're used to us, they know us," she added.
At one time there were four women who swam with the sharks. No one got eaten, of course, but one got her finger bitten off and left while another suffered from shock in the incident. Dorota, 20, said, "For me sharks are fascinating. I have found them fascinating since I was a girl and now I have the chance to work with them."
And do they think the way sharks have been portrayed in films such as "Jaws" is accurate or pure fiction? "These sharks are dangerous; I wouldn't recommend someone getting into a tank with them that isn't trained," said Dorota.
"They are highly intelligent creatures with a keen instinct and are quite ruthless," she added. And just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water....!