Ok, so I was at Scarbs today and apparently a 3m tiger shark was spotted 200m offshore. Everybody came out the water except one guy who decided to be a hero, tough macho guy, or in my mind, a complete balloon!

So the question is? Do you leave the water when the Westpac helicopter spots a shark and the lifeguards clear the water? Or are you one of the people that stay in because you feel safe or have a point to prove?

Now, I have been to Margs when the same thing has happened, I had already finished my surf and was chilling on the beach, but I noticed that not one single person came to shore. What I'm getting at is, are these people trying to prove something or are they just dicing with death?

It interests me seeing as we live in the shark death capital of the world in WA. I'm intrigued as to why these people feel they are invincible and indeed, I wonder if like me, they ever read books about shark attacks in WA or watch Nat Geo at all. Perhaps if they did they would think twice?

I also feel bad for the lifeguards who are only doing their job trying to ensure the safety of everyone in the water and there is one idiot preventing them from doing just that. It sucks for them to have to get agro with a guy on the loud hailer just cos he wants to appear macho to his mate who incidentally had the sense to creep back to shore!

It interests me, the motives of a guy like that who wants to be the centre of attention in front of a beach full of hundreds of people

Happened early this morning too towards Trigg but NO ONE went in either. Everyone stayed out. The thing is I guess you weigh up the options and go from their. Low tide, water up to your waist, is the shark really going to swim specifically to attack you?

Honestly, if the waves were pumping, I wouldn't go in but for somewhere like Scarbs, not really worth it. I normally surf stretches though where there are lesser patrol so that you are less likely to be hassled by the life guards. I respect when they set up flags on banks I am surfing on because they are choosing the safest place for the general public and I know they are doing their duty but sometimes, I'd rather make the decision of whether a shark just merely going for a swim along the shore, much like a person going for a walk, is really going to specifically target humans and attack them. Media has sensationalized sharks as 24/7 blood thirsty predators hell bent on attacking humans when they are animals just like us.

I agree that something definitely has to be done but re: culling, shark nets, devices, research etc, I am going to let that up to the experts to sort out but I am not simply going to paddle into shore in mass panic when I hear the siren ring especially if it's pumping!

P.s. this will be my only post as I am not going to be drawn into the epic shark debates that occur with these topics so wishing everyone a great summer weekend and waves!

Here we go again.....

I too NG will make one post (hopefully), personal choice at the end of the day but I assume that if that guy was attacked by the shark the authorities alerted him about he would be pretty pissed off if they let him bleed to death or ignored his pleas for help. Also, if you are not West Aussie or currently on holiday here please refrain from making sarcastic comments as they make you seem even more ignorant than usual.

1 ft close outs!!!! I would go get a coffee.

Many years ago, well before the recent spate of incidents I would (and did) stay out during a shark alarms at Trigg/Scarb. I even paddled out when Trigg was closed due to the Ken Crew incident.

Recently, I was on a remote beach on the south coast down probably 6 or 7km of rugged 4WD track; somewhere I have surfed only 3 or 4 times, and always alone, with not another car to be seen. It delivers a good length ride, so you tend to sit well over 100m out and paddle further out to meet the sneaker sets... One year we were lucky enough to spend 45min with a pod of 10 dolphins - a lifetime memory for me and the Mrs who swam out to join in... This Xmas, even though it was head high, the off shore was too stiff, and that was enough of a reason for me to give it a miss...

So I guess now, if the shark alarm went off and the clubbies signalled for everyone to clear the water I'd go in...

I agree wholeheartedly with above. Few years ago I stayed in, or at least waited to catch a good one in. Once, I paddled out with the siren on. These days are different. My opinion's changed recently.

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bakesy said...
I too NG will make one post (hopefully), personal choice at the end of the day but I assume that if that guy was attacked by the shark the authorities alerted him about he would be pretty pissed off if they let him bleed to death or ignored his pleas for help. Also, if you are not West Aussie or currently on holiday here please refrain from making sarcastic comments as they make you seem even more ignorant than usual.

Are you having a go at me, not sure from your comment? FYI I'm not a West Aussie but I live here (in WA) now, anyway this is an open forum and surely anyone is entitled to put forth their opinion - just saying.

Some interesting responses on here and I do understand that the odds are pretty small of being attacked even when there is a shark that has been spotted in the vicinity. Me personally, I just wouldn't chance it as I don't see the point. There are plenty other days I can surf where no shark has been spotted. However I am not so naive to think that makes me safe. I understand that it's the ones you don't see that are the ones you have to worry about. I accept that risk for my love of surfing and the ocean.

Just interested in peoples reasons for potentially taking the risk of being attacked and I have to say, for the crappy surf at Scarbs it really isn't worth it at all in my opinion. Like others have said, if it is pumping then I understand why people might want to stay in. The close-out surf at Scarbs is never good enough for me to risk being attacked, I value my life more than that!

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sporto said... The close-out surf at Scarbs is never good enough for me to risk being attacked, I value my life more than that!

No disrespect, but that shows you're not a local. For us Perthians, that's all we know.
It's 2-3 foot close-outs?!!, I'm out there!!!

I'm kind of sick of all the beach closures, getting to teh point where to care factor is minimal.

It's like a bloody yo-yo, in, out, in, out...

Recently the news said the choppers only see around 17% of the sharks. Less than 1 in 5 are spotted. I guess that could mean beaches should be getting closed 5times as much if they sighted every shark.

I also wonder why it isn't a blood bath due to these missed sightings.

I'm still not convinced it is that dangerous. I just think recent events have everyone on edge.

Having said that, I would head in eventually. Mostly for the sake of the lifeguards doing their jobs. Just after one more wave...

(And more quickly if the chopper starts hovering closer and closer...)

The things people will do for a wave
Risk life and limb (even though most of the time the odds are in the surfers favour of being attacked)
Some people would kill their own mother for a wave

If im asked out of the water i would go in. But last year when the beach was closed about 600 mtrs south of me i didn't. You could see the chopper, surf boats and ski's and it was not near me so i figure thats okay. To be honest no-one went in that day near me

One of the sharkiest places ive surfed was actually called Sharkies on the South Sydney coast. I was struggling to even get out the total back and was catching shoulder waves half way in. One of my cousins mates caught a wave to me and we sat talking. I asked why the name and he said havn't you looked down I hadn't and we paddled out to clear water. The bottom was teaming with hundreds of smaller sharks. Around a foot through to maybe 3 feet. Neadless to say i flew in and sat on the beach watching my mates and cousin. They all came in and my cousin only after a bigger one maybe 4 to 5 foot started to pay him some attention. Some places surfing with sharks is not all that uncommon, but not for this little pudgy duck

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[b]newguy said...[/ The thing is I guess you weigh up the options and go from their. Low tide, water up to your waist, is the shark really going to swim specifically to attack you?

Ahhhhh your obviously not aware that Ken Crew was taken in barely waste deep water at cott within only a couple of meters of the shore. The shark which I've heard was approx 5m practically beached itself to get him and had to thrash around to get back out into deeper water. But yeah mate you stay in your waste deep water and catch the whitewash. You'll be fine.

I guess each to their own if you want to stay in the water after an alarm or warning. It's a free world but I personally believe its selfish. I couldn't give a Fark if you get taken after being warned but think about the poor bloke who has to come out and collect your mangled remains (if there's any left) That sort of sh1t would f#ck you up for the rest of your life...

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Woodo said...

[b]newguy said...[/ The thing is I guess you weigh up the options and go from their. Low tide, water up to your waist, is the shark really going to swim specifically to attack you?

Ahhhhh your obviously not aware that Ken Crew was taken in barely waste deep water at cott within only a couple of meters of the shore. The shark which I've heard was approx 5m practically beached itself to get him and had to thrash around to get back out into deeper water. But yeah mate you stay in your waste deep water and catch the whitewash. You'll be fine.

I guess each to their own if you want to stay in the water after an alarm or warning. It's a free world but I personally believe its selfish. I couldn't give a Fark if you get taken after being warned but think about the poor bloke who has to come out and collect your mangled remains (if there's any left) That sort of sh1t would f#ck you up for the rest of your life...

Yep one of Kens mates was kneeing on its guts as it rolled on the sand trying to get it to let go, so it was very shallow.

It does come down to a selfish attitude i guess. f you don't get out then it puts added stress on the life guards, also not to mention if you are attached all those beach users have to witness it, then the whole shark media circus starts again and no one is a winner. If there is a direct order to get out get out

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jbshack said...

Woodo said...

[b]newguy said...[/ The thing is I guess you weigh up the options and go from their. Low tide, water up to your waist, is the shark really going to swim specifically to attack you?

Ahhhhh your obviously not aware that Ken Crew was taken in barely waste deep water at cott within only a couple of meters of the shore. The shark which I've heard was approx 5m practically beached itself to get him and had to thrash around to get back out into deeper water. But yeah mate you stay in your waste deep water and catch the whitewash. You'll be fine.

I guess each to their own if you want to stay in the water after an alarm or warning. It's a free world but I personally believe its selfish. I couldn't give a Fark if you get taken after being warned but think about the poor bloke who has to come out and collect your mangled remains (if there's any left) That sort of sh1t would f#ck you up for the rest of your life...

Yep one of Kens mates was kneeing on its guts as it rolled on the sand trying to get it to let go, so it was very shallow.

It does come down to a selfish attitude i guess. f you don't get out then it puts added stress on the life guards, also not to mention if you are attached all those beach users have to witness it, then the whole shark media circus starts again and no one is a winner. If there is a direct order to get out get out

Kneeing on its guts as it rolled on the sand?? are you sure about that JBS? did you do your research this time old mate?

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soleman said...

jbshack said...

Woodo said...

[b]newguy said...[/ The thing is I guess you weigh up the options and go from their. Low tide, water up to your waist, is the shark really going to swim specifically to attack you?

Ahhhhh your obviously not aware that Ken Crew was taken in barely waste deep water at cott within only a couple of meters of the shore. The shark which I've heard was approx 5m practically beached itself to get him and had to thrash around to get back out into deeper water. But yeah mate you stay in your waste deep water and catch the whitewash. You'll be fine.

I guess each to their own if you want to stay in the water after an alarm or warning. It's a free world but I personally believe its selfish. I couldn't give a Fark if you get taken after being warned but think about the poor bloke who has to come out and collect your mangled remains (if there's any left) That sort of sh1t would f#ck you up for the rest of your life...

Yep one of Kens mates was kneeing on its guts as it rolled on the sand trying to get it to let go, so it was very shallow.

It does come down to a selfish attitude i guess. f you don't get out then it puts added stress on the life guards, also not to mention if you are attached all those beach users have to witness it, then the whole shark media circus starts again and no one is a winner. If there is a direct order to get out get out

Kneeing on its guts as it rolled on the sand?? are you sure about that JBS? did you do your research this time old mate?

Nope was there. I happened to be even talking (if you believe it) to Hugh Edwards as the ambo left. The shark managed to get itself grounded sideways in the surf. Then stayed and watched as it swam up and down shadowing the small (4.7mtr) police inflatable whilst they were trying to confirm a kill order The two officers on that little rib (one was a good client of ours) and he said it was super spooky being eyeballed by a man eater..