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Surf69 said..
I wish i had a design for the perfect Shark deterrent.

Get yourself a set of these babies:







I can offer a 100% money back guarantee that you will be safe from sharks when using them. This amazing device is also guaranteed to reduce crowds and help create a better vibe in the lineup.

Tell your friends.

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rayannetait said...


Yeah haha the magnet, it's expensive as hell!

My mate bought this a Modom Shark Leash off SurfStitch last month.
www.surfstitch.com/modom-shark-leash-6ft-standard-black.html?gclid=CPLn44OGi88CFYKZvAodrxYL7g&gclsrc=aw.ds

Says it's pretty good but a bit on the pricier end.

What's good about it?

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thedrip said...

rayannetait said...


Yeah haha the magnet, it's expensive as hell!

My mate bought this a Modom Shark Leash off SurfStitch last month.
www.surfstitch.com/modom-shark-leash-6ft-standard-black.html?gclid=CPLn44OGi88CFYKZvAodrxYL7g&gclsrc=aw.ds

Says it's pretty good but a bit on the pricier end.

What's good about it?

His mate justifying that he bought one?

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Surf69 said..
I wish i had a design for the perfect Shark deterrent.

Luckily you don't need to, Dave from Surfsafe already has with the Rpela

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jbshack said...

Surf69 said..
I wish i had a design for the perfect Shark deterrent.

Luckily you don't need to, Dave from Surfsafe already has with the Rpela

For sure - the good thing about Rpela is unlike shark shield ya don't often get a blast from the zapper..but on the rare occasion you do it's a pretty darn good boot. Gives me confidence that no whitey would want to be near it.

To be fair I reckon modom leash would probably help with bull sharks but not on whites.

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jbshack said..

Surf69 said..
I wish i had a design for the perfect Shark deterrent.

Luckily you don't need to, Dave from Surfsafe already has with the Rpela

that is without doubt the stupidest thing to be said on the internet today...N o dissrespect to you dave(i think its awesome people having a crack)..

JB sign away everything you own and your children wife etc etc as a sacrifice to whomever the unlucky punter be that gets chomped.....or dave are you going to come out like JB has and say you have the perfect shark deterrent ?

you come out with **** like that jb and its just ignorant. You are way smarter than that i thought

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Ctngoodvibes said..

jbshack said...

Surf69 said..
I wish i had a design for the perfect Shark deterrent.

Luckily you don't need to, Dave from Surfsafe already has with the Rpela

For sure - the good thing about Rpela is unlike shark shield ya don't often get a blast from the zapper..but on the rare occasion you do it's a pretty darn good boot. Gives me confidence that no whitey would want to be near it.

To be fair I reckon modom leash would probably help with bull sharks but not on whites.

i want you and jb to do some serious testing...

I live in WA mate - I probably have without even realising just jokes
Dave has commissioned independent testing on whites in South Africa. Wouldn't imagine that to be cheap!
I think JB was just saying it's great Dave has come up with something that doesn't affect board performance but reduces the risk.

^^^;;; captain hou prpbably are testing

Nah thats not what jb said and why i had a crack at him. I usually like tbe fact he has strong beliefs ,but he has been verging along these statement for a while. Finding faults in others products only for daves to be the messiah. Nobody really knows...EXCEPT JB....

Jb do you have any financial intrest in daves device?

Hey Crispy I know everyone likes to take a free kick at JB but pretty harsh / provocative .

I took JB’s comment as tongue in cheek but you raised a few valid points that anyone not involved in what’s happening in WA at the moment must be wondering.

The Repla or any other shark deterrent isn’t sold as being perfect but you would already know that and anyone using one knows that.

I treat it the same as a seat belt / air bags in my car I am looking at changing the probability having witnessed an attack my emotional brain knows it will do sweet fu(k all
But having an electrical back ground and understanding the science the rational side knows I would be pretty fu(ken stupid if I don’t use something that’s currently available.

It’s a shame you don’t know Dave Smith as you would be deeply embarrassed making the messiah comment, throwing out the bait and trash talking the conflict of interest.

No one is connected to Dave’s Repla other than that we own them and know Dave / his family again if you knew Dave I wouldn’t have to tell you that.

I am guilty as are others of pushing the Repla and will continue to do so as I think it works and will make a difference, its value for money, you can talk directly with the guy responsible and it’s in WA.

Lastly Crispy the talk you see around about white encounters over here is just the tip of the iceberg its actually far worse we all know someone will get taken again that’s a given we need products and devices being sold so advances can be made and developed.


Again for the WA guys I cannot stress how important it is everyone in WA carries a tourniquet while in the water one of us will get taken again and it could well be someone using a deterrent hopefully you can apply a tourniquet if you do it will change your chance of survival significantly.

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IFocus said...
Hey Crispy I know everyone likes to take a free kick at JB but pretty harsh / provocative .

I took JB’s comment as tongue in cheek but you raised a few valid points that anyone not involved in what’s happening in WA at the moment must be wondering.

The Repla or any other shark deterrent isn’t sold as being perfect but you would already know that and anyone using one knows that.

I treat it the same as a seat belt / air bags in my car I am looking at changing the probability having witnessed an attack my emotional brain knows it will do sweet fu(k all
But having an electrical back ground and understanding the science the rational side knows I would be pretty fu(ken stupid if I don’t use something that’s currently available.

It’s a shame you don’t know Dave Smith as you would be deeply embarrassed making the messiah comment, throwing out the bait and trash talking the conflict of interest.

No one is connected to Dave’s Repla other than that we own them and know Dave / his family again if you knew Dave I wouldn’t have to tell you that.

I am guilty as are others of pushing the Repla and will continue to do so as I think it works and will make a difference, its value for money, you can talk directly with the guy responsible and it’s in WA.

Lastly Crispy the talk you see around about white encounters over here is just the tip of the iceberg its actually far worse we all know someone will get taken again that’s a given we need products and devices being sold so advances can be made and developed.


Again for the WA guys I cannot stress how important it is everyone in WA carries a tourniquet while in the water one of us will get taken again and it could well be someone using a deterrent hopefully you can apply a tourniquet if you do it will change your chance of survival significantly.

Mate re read what i wrote ....wow how to twist some words. Especially the messiah one.

Hey i like where your sentiments are coming from and pretty much agree...but really tgats not what i wrote. Im trying to work out anotber way i can say it withiut the words being turned...

You take jb words as tongue in cheek,are you friends? As most punters who read the forum would not know it was a joke. It is a constant from jb about others products comapred to daves (maybe justified i dont know, but i know making outrageous claims like his cant be good for anyone,especially his credibility. )

I really should not have to go tbrough what i posted and micro explain it...

So stick to what i said!

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IFocus said..
Hey Crispy I know everyone likes to take a free kick at JB but pretty harsh / provocative .

I took JB’s comment as tongue in cheek but you raised a few valid points that anyone not involved in what’s happening in WA at the moment must be wondering.

The Repla or any other shark deterrent isn’t sold as being perfect but you would already know that and anyone using one knows that.

I treat it the same as a seat belt / air bags in my car I am looking at changing the probability having witnessed an attack my emotional brain knows it will do sweet fu(k all
But having an electrical back ground and understanding the science the rational side knows I would be pretty fu(ken stupid if I don’t use something that’s currently available.

It’s a shame you don’t know Dave Smith as you would be deeply embarrassed making the messiah comment, throwing out the bait and trash talking the conflict of interest.

No one is connected to Dave’s Repla other than that we own them and know Dave / his family again if you knew Dave I wouldn’t have to tell you that.

I am guilty as are others of pushing the Repla and will continue to do so as I think it works and will make a difference, its value for money, you can talk directly with the guy responsible and it’s in WA.

Lastly Crispy the talk you see around about white encounters over here is just the tip of the iceberg its actually far worse we all know someone will get taken again that’s a given we need products and devices being sold so advances can be made and developed.


Again for the WA guys I cannot stress how important it is everyone in WA carries a tourniquet while in the water one of us will get taken again and it could well be someone using a deterrent hopefully you can apply a tourniquet if you do it will change your chance of survival significantly.

Spot on Ifocus.

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DARTH said...

IFocus said..
Hey Crispy I know everyone likes to take a free kick at JB but pretty harsh / provocative .

I took JB’s comment as tongue in cheek but you raised a few valid points that anyone not involved in what’s happening in WA at the moment must be wondering.

The Repla or any other shark deterrent isn’t sold as being perfect but you would already know that and anyone using one knows that.

I treat it the same as a seat belt / air bags in my car I am looking at changing the probability having witnessed an attack my emotional brain knows it will do sweet fu(k all
But having an electrical back ground and understanding the science the rational side knows I would be pretty fu(ken stupid if I don’t use something that’s currently available.

It’s a shame you don’t know Dave Smith as you would be deeply embarrassed making the messiah comment, throwing out the bait and trash talking the conflict of interest.

No one is connected to Dave’s Repla other than that we own them and know Dave / his family again if you knew Dave I wouldn’t have to tell you that.

I am guilty as are others of pushing the Repla and will continue to do so as I think it works and will make a difference, its value for money, you can talk directly with the guy responsible and it’s in WA.

Lastly Crispy the talk you see around about white encounters over here is just the tip of the iceberg its actually far worse we all know someone will get taken again that’s a given we need products and devices being sold so advances can be made and developed.


Again for the WA guys I cannot stress how important it is everyone in WA carries a tourniquet while in the water one of us will get taken again and it could well be someone using a deterrent hopefully you can apply a tourniquet if you do it will change your chance of survival significantly.

Spot on Ifocus.

i stand by comments...but some people are ........

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chrispy said..
^^^;;; captain hou prpbably are testing

Nah thats not what jb said and why i had a crack at him. I usually like tbe fact he has strong beliefs ,but he has been verging along these statement for a while. Finding faults in others products only for daves to be the messiah. Nobody really knows...EXCEPT JB....

Jb do you have any financial intrest in daves device?

Actually i wish i did have some funding in the product. Ok so your upset that i have suggested Daves product is the answer to Surf69's comment. Well i guess you can take umbrage at the word "Perfect". I apologise if you took the word so literally. There is obviously no product that will give you 100% (Perfect) cover. But ill bet the Rpela is the closest you'll find.. That was my point.

There are two electronic devices for surfboards that currently have at least some level of testing available. The shark shield and the Rpela. I have spoken at length and spent many long hours pawing over both products. Dave will agree that when i actually do make it to his shop, I'm normally their for far too long for both parties concerned. I have seen a lot of testing on both products that have yet to be released fully and I'm excited about both options. More so about Rpela and hence why i use that system. Is it 100% perfect? Maybe not but testing has found it to be well up their. For the record I'm not sure even a seat belt is rated 100% perfect so i guess you'll never get that from any safety product.

The other reason i use the Rpela product over the shark shield? IS at a local talk by Shark Shield owner himself said "If you want a product that works for surfing that is the best suited, then he suggested the Rpela system" I guess he is hoping his new unit will be better, maybe competitive, but then again at nearly twice the price ill stick with what I'm using..

If i was to dive, then the Shark shield is the obvious choice. Will leg ropes with magnets help or make any difference in preventing a shark attack?, I've not seen a single piece of testing or even a realistic explanation of why they would work

Your making a lot of sense for a change JB (Sorry just taking the piss)

At the end of the day it (Rpela) is the only product that provides no noticeable annoyance when surfing with it. I was guessing that's what your "perfect" comment was referring to.

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chrispy said..

IFocus said...
Hey Crispy I know everyone likes to take a free kick at JB but pretty harsh / provocative .

I took JB’s comment as tongue in cheek but you raised a few valid points that anyone not involved in what’s happening in WA at the moment must be wondering.

The Repla or any other shark deterrent isn’t sold as being perfect but you would already know that and anyone using one knows that.

I treat it the same as a seat belt / air bags in my car I am looking at changing the probability having witnessed an attack my emotional brain knows it will do sweet fu(k all
But having an electrical back ground and understanding the science the rational side knows I would be pretty fu(ken stupid if I don’t use something that’s currently available.

It’s a shame you don’t know Dave Smith as you would be deeply embarrassed making the messiah comment, throwing out the bait and trash talking the conflict of interest.

No one is connected to Dave’s Repla other than that we own them and know Dave / his family again if you knew Dave I wouldn’t have to tell you that.

I am guilty as are others of pushing the Repla and will continue to do so as I think it works and will make a difference, its value for money, you can talk directly with the guy responsible and it’s in WA.

Lastly Crispy the talk you see around about white encounters over here is just the tip of the iceberg its actually far worse we all know someone will get taken again that’s a given we need products and devices being sold so advances can be made and developed.


Again for the WA guys I cannot stress how important it is everyone in WA carries a tourniquet while in the water one of us will get taken again and it could well be someone using a deterrent hopefully you can apply a tourniquet if you do it will change your chance of survival significantly.

Mate re read what i wrote ....wow how to twist some words. Especially the messiah one.

Hey i like where your sentiments are coming from and pretty much agree...but really tgats not what i wrote. Im trying to work out anotber way i can say it withiut the words being turned...

You take jb words as tongue in cheek,are you friends? As most punters who read the forum would not know it was a joke. It is a constant from jb about others products comapred to daves (maybe justified i dont know, but i know making outrageous claims like his cant be good for anyone,especially his credibility. )

I really should not have to go tbrough what i posted and micro explain it...

So stick to what i said!

For the record and to be clear for you.
A) IFocus and i are not friends and have never met. (i would love to though one day, and buy him a drink as he is a dead set legend IMHO, and part of the reason these pages are so great)

B) Im really not sure what your upset at either, my point wasn't really tongue in cheek, i was actually being rather serous. (Yes i should have missed the word perfect and if that is what made you blow your stack than okay sorry) But hey thanks for being so literal about it.

For the record i think your rant is simply a personal issue YOU have with me, i have no problem with that though, as you don't know me, have no idea about me or what i know.

C) Do i have a vested interest in Rpela, No not financially, BUT id love to see them up and down the coast, in line ups protecting surfers from possible shark attack, so yes i and like many other Rpela users will argue to support Dave and yes, IFocus is right again, he is a dead set legend.. Anyone who has taken the time to talk to the man himself will leave invested (Emotionally at least) in his product. He is so busy though with it and i guess I'm guilty of trying to promote it for him as a customer. I wasn't aware you were so dead against pimping products on a surfing forum

I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to getting a boot from anything electrical. Can't even build up the courage to put a 9V battery on my tongue!
So my question to Dave and to all Rpela users is how often do you get a boot from it and how do you avoid it?
JB need not reply because you dribble too much.
Thank you.

^^^^^^ that last line saved me from entering into it. Nothing personal jb,ffs my post is self explanatory

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Greenroom said..
I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to getting a boot from anything electrical. Can't even build up the courage to put a 9V battery on my tongue!
So my question to Dave and to all Rpela users is how often do you get a boot from it and how do you avoid it?
JB need not reply because you dribble too much.
Thank you.

If are having a problem you just polish the bottom of your board (if you're slack only need to polish around the nose)and its all good, as Ctngoodvibes has said you don't know its there.

I know of some users who regularly get a boot from them. The users are novice surf school level and they tend to avoid the boards with the devices because of it. I haven't ascertained whether the device is old-school surf safe, rpela, old-school shark shield or new-school shark shield (not yet released, so unlikely). The users would have no bias whatsoever so it's an interesting survey population.

I find the bias supporting katana in these forums interesting. The two main electrical products are both:

- WA based
- similar efficacy/implementation
- as unobtrusive as one another
- installation not a big deal either way
- both backed by actual surfers
- there's no (public) animosity between them, nor in private that I've noticed.

I talk to both. They're both great people. They both believe in their product. They both put time and effort into their product. Both products seem way, way more sensible than the closest alternative approaches. No matter what I'll still enjoy surfing with them and chatting with them, because I find what they do interesting.

The only difference I can see is one is on this forum and one is not.

to answer the shocking question if you use the board correctly you wont get zapped
first thing don't touch between the fins or within 25cm of the front electrode this is only when the board is fins up in the water ,the Rpela has a much faster auto off switch so far less chance of shock than the Surfsafe model
the only other time you can feel it is punching thru a wave with one hand on the nose so its simple to move your hands back to the normal position .

For me I found it took a little bit of adjustment to how I handle my board in the surf. When I first had a Surfsafe fitted I found out pretty quickly that I had a habit of grabbing my board by the tail after a wave when I was walking in the shallows which would occasionally give a bit of a boot. Now I tend to drag my board by the rail saver and TBH haven't had a boot in a long time. Also you only ever get a decent boot if the board is out of the water and still wet so once you are familiar with the areas of your stick that you shouldn't touch up it becomes second nature to avoid it.
Like JB I have also spent many hours stewing over all available devices and believe the Surfsafe / Rpella to be the best bet for me. I like the fact that Dave is prepared to put his money where is mouth is and is passionate about making the water safer for everyone. Having said that I do not know the guy behind Shark Shield but I get the impression that they are a bit more commercially motivated

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mitchbat said..
Having said that I do not know the guy behind Shark Shield but I get the impression that they are a bit more commercially motivated

The dad might be (and why wouldn't you be, it's a business). The son is in the water more than most people and rips. So both rpela and shark shield are solidly backed by surfers. I'd vouch for both products' surfer reps any day, and they'd probably vouch for each other too. And I'll bet Dave would love to make a million bucks off rpela, and he deserves some payback for his work. So I don't think commercial motivation is a downside in this matter. Neither are cutting corners or anything, both are trying to make a commercially successful and effective product.

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jbshack said...

chrispy said..
^^^;;; captain hou prpbably are testing

Nah thats not what jb said and why i had a crack at him. I usually like tbe fact he has strong beliefs ,but he has been verging along these statement for a while. Finding faults in others products only for daves to be the messiah. Nobody really knows...EXCEPT JB....

Jb do you have any financial intrest in daves device?

Actually i wish i did have some funding in the product. Ok so your upset that i have suggested Daves product is the answer to Surf69's comment. Well i guess you can take umbrage at the word "Perfect". I apologise if you took the word so literally. There is obviously no product that will give you 100% (Perfect) cover. But ill bet the Rpela is the closest you'll find.. That was my point.

There are two electronic devices for surfboards that currently have at least some level of testing available. The shark shield and the Rpela. I have spoken at length and spent many long hours pawing over both products. Dave will agree that when i actually do make it to his shop, I'm normally their for far too long for both parties concerned. I have seen a lot of testing on both products that have yet to be released fully and I'm excited about both options. More so about Rpela and hence why i use that system. Is it 100% perfect? Maybe not but testing has found it to be well up their. For the record I'm not sure even a seat belt is rated 100% perfect so i guess you'll never get that from any safety product.

The other reason i use the Rpela product over the shark shield? IS at a local talk by Shark Shield owner himself said "If you want a product that works for surfing that is the best suited, then he suggested the Rpela system" I guess he is hoping his new unit will be better, maybe competitive, but then again at nearly twice the price ill stick with what I'm using..

If i was to dive, then the Shark shield is the obvious choice. Will leg ropes with magnets help or make any difference in preventing a shark attack?, I've not seen a single piece of testing or even a realistic explanation of why they would work

Not having a shot JB.. But..

Where are the same test on Daves device as Shark shield.

Can you post a link? I am interested to read it..

And your maths is ****..

$599 for shark shield
99 for an additional pad.

So Daves is less the $300 installed?

And $50 per additional board and unit??

If so let me know where I can get my boards done for $50 and I am in.

JB said 'If i was to dive, then the Shark shield is the obvious choice. Will leg ropes with magnets help or make any difference in preventing a shark attack?, I've not seen a single piece of testing or even a realistic explanation of why they would work'


I thought the Shark Shield was the tail pad installation,don't think Id get far down with a board attached to my leg or am i thinking of another product.
Anyway Ill be getting a Rpela installed for my sth Oz trip next April, feel a bit more at ease at some of the breaks at certain spots.

we will put our scientific report on our site as soon as its finished as agreed with our scientists who are also testing shark shields new product which has no report

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katana said..
we will put our scientific report on our site as soon as its finished as agreed with our scientists who are also testing shark shields new product which has no report

Thanks Dave, look forward to seeing it are they testing them at the same time?

Also out of interest and Not holding you to your answer but you are probably as knowledgeable as anyone in this field after all your work So would you expect the new Shark shields field to be much different from the old version?


Understand if you want to avoid answering but would be good to hear your opinion.

https://www.rpela.com/shop/ <-- Prices
www.rpela.com/frequently-asked-questions/

My understanding is its $150 to retro fit to your board or $100 if you have one installed to a Katana custom...sorry if that info is incorrect, coz I don't know if all installers charge the same ... An electrode is glassed into the board running down to a box which is also glassed into the board. The box holds a unit which can be transferred to diff boards.

sharkshield.com/shop/freedom-surf/ <-- prices
Can be installed yourself by applying a rear deck pad that has a flap that that has a unit attached beneath with wiring running to beneath the board & up the stringer line like the rpela. The wiring is contained in a sticker that runs from the unit on top of the board. So you would have to make sure you dewax & wet & dry to ensure no wax whatsoever hinders the bonding to your board.

From a retro fit perspective prices are the same. Although if you could install the rpela yourself, then it would be $450 as apposed to $600

Additonal fittings for extra boards to transfer each transferable unit.

Rpela Housing with Sub is $60 www.rpela.com/product/rpela-sub/ not sure if this includes the electrode to run up the board

Shark Shield minus the unit $100 sharkshield.com/shop/ocean-earth_tail_pad_decal_antenna/

I'm thinking I might grab Daves installation tools with his kit plus a couple of extra housings & DIY. Works out a lot cheaper for me that way coz I tend to ride at least 3 boards fairly regularly. Plus I don't like to use tail pads on either short boards or long boards these days but for people that do having a tail pad included is a bonus if you can overlook the iffy longivity of what is essentially a sticker running from the top of your board, around the rail & up the stringer line of your board.

with sharksheilds previous fin system they reduced the power output from tested freedom 7 we are waiting to find the output data so we can get the comparisons with rpela, freedom plus and freedom 7 so far these specs have not been made available