I thought I'd start a new thread on this instead of highjacking the other one.

Has the increased number of shark sightings around Perth and the SW stopped you from having a surf? By this I mean that the waves are good, you have the time but the thought of sharks has stopped you from entering the water.

I know there's a lot of talk and emotion about this but has it actually stopped you from surfing?

Short answer: no

No, but I think about where Im going to surf and how many people there in the water.

Two weeks ago some mates and I got to surf a deserted beach break, off shore good four foot day with some bigger ones comming through.

I paddled out first by myself, my mates were about 20mins behind me.

Sitting out the back alone, the wind dies right off and a lull. I recon I was a sitting target.

I cant see me doing that again anytime soon!!

if its good, and I have time. then no its not a concern.

however sometimes when its overcast, especially if noone or not many are out where im going I second guess myself. sometimes the ocean just gives off a "sharky" vibe and i call it a day.

I was having a surf down south about a month ago, beach break about 500m down the beach from a group of 5 or so crew. there was a school of fish around me for a while then all of a sudden they all scattered and bailed. i paddled in as fast as I could and stood on the shore for 15 minutes trying to see something.. didnt have the nerve to g back in.. just siked myself out i guess

Yep I dont surf alone, got interrogated by a fark off big seal whilst diving on my own off rotto a few months ago and it dawned on me how helpless and venerable we really are in the water, surf with someone else cuts your mortality rate to 50%

Not quite stopped me surfing, but definately changed my habits.

I no longer use the 'key pocket' in my wetsuit and bought a key lock instead. That way if a grey suit takes the leg with the key pocket, I'm still good to drive home :)

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LateStarter said...

Not quite stopped me surfing, but definately changed my habits.

I no longer use the 'key pocket' in my wetsuit and bought a key lock instead. That way if a grey suit takes the leg with the key pocket, I'm still good to drive home :)

I hope your car is an auto

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LateStarter said...

Not quite stopped me surfing, but definately changed my habits.

I no longer use the 'key pocket' in my wetsuit and bought a key lock instead. That way if a grey suit takes the leg with the key pocket, I'm still good to drive home :)

Haha thats funny
Those key locks are really bad when its dark to open though

Sharks have not stopped me surfing. Do they bother me yes slightly.

I usually don't like to surf alone though anyway. I had a family friend get paralyzed by his own board when i was very young so i consider other threats bigger, like a board strike, reef head but or worse drowning

^ Yeh I'm a bit like that.

I don't know the stats but while the thought of getting eating is pretty average, I think it is probably more likely to have a spinal/get KO'd and need help and that worries me more. So I will try and surf with someone mainly for that reason (and a little bit to reduce my odds )

And no shark sighting haven't stopped me but I have always been a little cautious. Obviously if one is seen near the beach I'll get out.

Can feel pretty sketchy a few hundred metres out on a cold overcast rainy day near where someone has been taken before though. It does make the mind wander...

Nah. Too much fun to stop.

In short - Yes.

I have definately turned away from good surf at less popular beachies when there is either no one out or one or two others that may come in at any time. I tend to turn around and go to a spot with clearer water and more people around.

I also used to surf a remote beach on the south coast a fair bit - miles from anywhere and a real tough 4WD track to make... then I got spooked one time with what may have been a big fin (could have been a stingray on it's side - and that's what I told myself). The next trip down there I was heading out when the only other guy in the water was coming in - said it was good but he was feeling uneasy - the samon were running, and just as I braved the paddle out the bastards schooled around me like something was chasing/herding them. I stayed out for about an hour - but could not relax and settle in... particularly after the samon fisho's said the spotter plane had reported a 10ft Tiger shark cruising out just past the breakers at a beach only a few kms away...

Also, I was down south the week following the Bunkers Bay incident. The surf was ordinary day one - but by day two it was about 2-3ft glass... I just didn't feel comfortable surfing the cape breaks (no one else was out across the whole Smiths -Windmills stretch). Went adventure caving instead

Definately not stopped me surfing. But, I've never been close to a shark so I reckon seeing one would change things. At this stage I am torn because I get a bit spooked surfing alone, but I hate crowds of 3 or more. Definately yourself and a mate is ideal. I'd surf alone before I joined a crowd. And I'd stab my own eye with a pair of scissors before I surfed trigg.

Yes, if its cloudy or sunset I will only stay out if its good and I am really enjoying it, if its less than ideal I will prob give it a miss.

I also think about it way more when I am out, especially on my own. It may be true that I thought I once saw a dark shape go past, went straight in, rationalised the situation to myself, realised a pod of dolphins was out there and paddled back out again

I never used to give them any real consideration.

I would certainly not have gone out Monday morning had I known that a tagged 5m GWS had just been detected about 600 meters away. Similarly, last year I left the water (along with every one else) at this spot when someone on the bluff saw a large dark shape cruise by (without surfacing like a dolphin). Anyone who doesn't get out when a shark has been sighted ought to see the video of the swimmer in South Africa who, after being warned that a GWS had been spotted, got dragged out with both legs shorter than when he went in.

No it hasn't stopped me,although i do think about it more.
Sham talked about a "sharky vibe" . I have had that feeling many times and it feels like you are being watched.Do you other guys get it? and do you feel that it is a real sense.
I remember surfing with my just my wife at a remote spot a couple of years ago. We both paddled in because of a bad vibe in the water,even without discussing why until we got to the beach.( Never like to talk about sharks when in the water)

For me I'll say no. But I have seen more sharks in the past couple of years, especially the past year than probably the five or six years before. This past year for me has been the worst ever. Usually after the summer busy period I look forward to winter as a shark free time but this winter has been different. Earlier this week a 5m tagged White was tracked swimming up and down the Northern beaches from Cott to Mindarie and back pinging those tracking buoys which are 500m offshore.

Some years I wouldn't even see one but I've see three in the past year. Three doesn't sound like many but imagine how many I missed!

I do try and surf with someone else when possible and I find myself having a longer look around the boat and reef before hoping in but I havn't missed a surf because of the thought of sharks.

We all make our choices and I respect everyones and I was just wondering how the many more sightings we have had recently affected your surfing.

I think a lot of this has to do with the point that you're at in your life. At 22 i'm probably a lot younger than many on this forum. I never give sharks a second thought, surf by myself, when its overcast, at dawn and dusk and with seals. However in 15 years time when it's likely i'll have a family of my own i'm sure i'll have to reassess these decisions, from what i've heard having kids puts everything in perspective.

As it is the next couple of years while im still at uni will probably be the only time where i'll get the opportunity to surf as much as i am, and i'm very keen to make the absolute most of it.

what are the south aussies doing, they still have sharks but less attachs, should we be doing something that they are. Do they only surf with a few mates etc???

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Zuke said...

For me I'll say no. But I have seen more sharks in the past couple of years, especially the past year than probably the five or six years before. This past year for me has been the worst ever. Usually after the summer busy period I look forward to winter as a shark free time but this winter has been different. Earlier this week a 5m tagged White was tracked swimming up and down the Northern beaches from Cott to Mindarie and back pinging those tracking buoys which are 500m offshore.

Some years I wouldn't even see one but I've see three in the past year. Three doesn't sound like many but imagine how many I missed!

I do try and surf with someone else when possible and I find myself having a longer look around the boat and reef before hoping in but I havn't missed a surf because of the thought of sharks.

We all make our choices and I respect everyones and I was just wondering how the many more sightings we have had recently affected your surfing.

A mate was DS last weekend and he said he has never seen the beaches so empty, great surf with bugger all people out. It may be affecting more people than we realize.

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doggie said...

A mate was DS last weekend and he said he has never seen the beaches so empty, great surf with bugger all people out. It may be affecting more people than we realize.

Yeah I was down south last week and had some great surfs at well known spots that were basically empty. had no idea why as I didn't have access to the internet, but i wasn't complaining.

^^^
I heard that a couple of blokes got 'chased' out of the water and that a number of sightings had been made.

I heard it from a mate who's mates brother lives down there...

That said - it could have been all BS and car park 'chinese whispers'... or DS tactics to put off the metro surfers!

That's what I like about Sup - standing on top of the water with a clear view of any fins on surface. Don't like the legs dangling as bait.

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Scotty88 said...

Don't like the legs dangling as bait.

My brother inlaw got his board bumped by a bronzer about a year ago and I sometimes catch him sitting in the line-up with his legs awkwardly tucked right up to his board.

Haha I don't blame him. If i had a close shark encounter I'd be **** scared too

In recent yrs my behaviour has definitely changed - not keen to paddle out to the reefs while its still dark and like to get in 30 mins before dark as a general rule (broke it last w/e for thew first time in a while).

I still do not mind surfing by myself but normally at the beachies and not out on the reefs.

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Ted the Kiwi said...

In recent yrs my behaviour has definitely changed - not keen to paddle out to the reefs while its still dark and like to get in 30 mins before dark as a general rule (broke it last w/e for thew first time in a while).

I still do not mind surfing by myself but normally at the beachies and not out on the reefs.

Ted, you are located near a Great White breeding ground BTW.

Supposed American data of statistical chances of things happening : note shark attack. While possibly not legit or representative of Aust, it gives you a much better understanding of the scope of everyones fears.

Oh well, perfect weather, local break cranking, no news of shark sightings? Everyone can stay on land while I hedge my bets of being more likely to winning a Hollywood Oscar

Chances of being killed by a lightning strike: 2,290,000 to 1

Chances of lightning striking you: 587,000 to 1

Chances of being murdered: 19,000 to 1

Chances of getting away with murder: 2 to 1

Chances of getting a royal flush in poker with first 5 cards dealt: 655,750 to 1

Chances that a 1st marriage will survive without separation/divorce for fifteen years: 1.4 to 1

Chances that a marriage comprising two celebrities will last a lifetime: 4 to 1

Chances of becoming the United States president: 10,000,000 to 1

Chances of dating a super model: 89,200 to 1

Odds of getting a hole in one in golf: 5,000 to 1

Chances of becoming an astronaut: 12,100,000 to 1

Chances of winning a Olympic medal: 655,000 to 1

Chances of being killed by parts falling from a plane: 10,000,000 to 1

Chances of being killed by a shark: 3 hundred million to 1

Chances of being injured by fireworks: 22,000 to 1

Chances of being injured from operating a chainsaw: 5,100 to 1

Chances of being injured by mowing the lawn: 3,554 to 1

Chances of fatally slipping in bathtub/shower: 3,333 to 1

Chances of drowning in the bathtub: 693,000 to 1

Chances of being killed next year from any form of transportation accident: 87 to 1

Chances of being killed on a five kilometer bus ride: 450,000,000 to 1

Chances of developing hemorrhoids: 28 to 1

Chances of twins being born: 90 to 1

Chances of being on airplane with a drunk pilot: 115 to 1

Chances of being IRS-audited: 180 to 1

Chances of marrying a millionaire: 220 to 1

Chances of writing a New-York Times best-selling book: 228 to 1

Chances that your son/daughter is a genius: 265 to 1

Odds of catching a foul ball or home run at professional baseball game:776 to 1

Chances of becoming a professional athlete: 24,550 to 1

Chances of winning a Hollywood Oscar award: 12,200 to 1

Chances of sighting a U.F.O. today: 3,200,000 to 1

Chances of winning California's lottery: 13,000,000 to 1

Chances that you will become a saint: 22,540,000 to 1

Chances of having your identity swiped: 200 to 1

Chances of a meteor hitting your home: 182,138,800,000,000 to 1

Chances of an asteroid hitting Earth in the next hundred years: 1 in 5,500

Chances of dying from an asteroid hitting Earth: 20,000 to 1

Chances of being killed in an airplane accident: 355,318 to 1

Chances of being executed for capital punishment: 1 in 3,221,700

Newguy, that is for the average person who goes in the ocean a couple of times per year. I think your chances increase alot more from that surfing everyday

Also consider that there is say 20 million australians.

How many of those do you think go in the ocean once a week or more? 2 million?

11 reported shark attacks last year.

The chance is still slim but it's there.

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Scotty88 said...

Ted the Kiwi said...

In recent yrs my behaviour has definitely changed - not keen to paddle out to the reefs while its still dark and like to get in 30 mins before dark as a general rule (broke it last w/e for thew first time in a while).

I still do not mind surfing by myself but normally at the beachies and not out on the reefs.

Ted, you are located near a Great White breeding ground BTW.

I used to live closer........at Stockton Beach for 2 scary months

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Ted the Kiwi said...

Scotty88 said...

Ted the Kiwi said...

In recent yrs my behaviour has definitely changed - not keen to paddle out to the reefs while its still dark and like to get in 30 mins before dark as a general rule (broke it last w/e for thew first time in a while).

I still do not mind surfing by myself but normally at the beachies and not out on the reefs.

Ted, you are located near a Great White breeding ground BTW.

I used to live closer........at Stockton Beach for 2 scary months

That's the one. I was out at Birubi over Xmas and was conscious of that.
All those stats on we have more chance of being hit by lightning,bee stings, win lotto doesn't make me feel any more safer when the legs are dangling.

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Ted the Kiwi said...

Scotty88 said...

Ted the Kiwi said...

In recent yrs my behaviour has definitely changed - not keen to paddle out to the reefs while its still dark and like to get in 30 mins before dark as a general rule (broke it last w/e for thew first time in a while).

I still do not mind surfing by myself but normally at the beachies and not out on the reefs.

Ted, you are located near a Great White breeding ground BTW.

I used to live closer........at Stockton Beach for 2 scary months

Stockton is scary without the sharks....

Scotty there no worries at all mate, there all small ones. All the big ones are south of Catho

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SP said...

Ted the Kiwi said...

Scotty88 said...

Ted the Kiwi said...

In recent yrs my behaviour has definitely changed - not keen to paddle out to the reefs while its still dark and like to get in 30 mins before dark as a general rule (broke it last w/e for thew first time in a while).

I still do not mind surfing by myself but normally at the beachies and not out on the reefs.

Ted, you are located near a Great White breeding ground BTW.

I used to live closer........at Stockton Beach for 2 scary months

Stockton is scary without the sharks....

Scotty there no worries at all mate, there all small ones. All the big ones are south of Catho

I am scared of baby sharks as well.