Leaving The Water When Sharks Are Spotted

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!

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.

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...

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!

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...)

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

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

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..