Its been a really bad week for surfers living in Northern NSW.

If as a result you are considering an electronic shark defence system, my research and 2 cents.
This is not meant to insult or be disresptful to anyone involved with these horrible situations.
I'm not involved with selling, marketing etc of anything.
I'm a busted arse old sparky who loves to surf.

Systems are available.

1. Removable electronic unit secures behind a surfboards rear tail pad with a trailing lead probe. Unit is weighty and could make the board surf weid with the drag of the probe, never tried it but I did talk at length to the distributor in WA and felt the weight of the unit and the probe. It is an addaption from its initial design which was for scuba / skin divers

2. System developed in the US unit is the size of a matchbox (lightest) of all the systems and is inbuilt into your legrope ankle strap. I've never seen this one but again spoke at length to the US Distributor looking for the Australian outlet. I liked this system and was keen to buy. But SB Forum users tipped me off about warranty issues and the shock surfers were getting when paddling and wet ankles touched.

3. If you watch "Shark Tank" you will have seen WA Shaper Dave Smiths system which is inbuilt into you surfboard.
This is the system I have bought and installed into a 34Ltr 6'2" rounded squash and have been using for the last month.
Power pack was heavier than I expected (touch more than my old Iphone3). Because it imbeds between the two rear fins slightly forward of your rear foot the little extra weight is not felt and doesnt effect my feel on the wave. The 2nd probe is installed towards the nose and a cable linking the units is scored into the foam against the stringer. You'd not even notice it unless you were looking.
The charged unit lasts for 15hours and actvates as soon as its in the water. First time check to see if it work I put my finger over the front probe gives a bite similiar to a static shock, nothing freaky, good check that its on.

I surf often alone between bruns break wall and pottsville not saying I'm now bullet proof but if it makes a shark think twice and gives me a break to get into the beach then its a good system.

Cheers mike.

Before the naysayers jump in here's a link to a recent study into electronic shark shields. The Surfsafe unit was not part of the study but works on a similar system
www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/human-shark-deterrent-prevents-90-encounters/

Yep you nailed it Dowls. For the cost of the unit, its cheap insurance, but the more out there on the water the better. Imagine if 50% of the users had one in the line up, i really am glad i got one on board.

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mitchbat said..
Before the naysayers jump in here's a link to a recent study into electronic shark shields. The Surfsafe unit was not part of the study but works on a similar system
www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/human-shark-deterrent-prevents-90-encounters/

In bjshack's huge long shark thread it was mentioned that the surfsafe unit works completely differently to the sharkshield unit. One uses AC, one uses DC, maybe the signal frequencies are different too?

And so how many of us have thrown in a hunge to get the testing done?

Anyone know much about the Shark Shocker? It's a wrist/ankle strap that works on a magnet principle. Around $40. Better than nothing right...

thesharkshocker.com

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justo82 said..
Anyone know much about the Shark Shocker? It's a wrist/ankle strap that works on a magnet principle. Around $40. Better than nothing right...thesharkshocker.com

If this is correct what an easy fix. "Shark Kryptonite"

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Legion said..

mitchbat said..
Before the naysayers jump in here's a link to a recent study into electronic shark shields. The Surfsafe unit was not part of the study but works on a similar system
www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/human-shark-deterrent-prevents-90-encounters/

In bjshack's huge long shark thread it was mentioned that the surfsafe unit works completely differently to the sharkshield unit. One uses AC, one uses DC, maybe the signal frequencies are different too?

Similar system in as much as its a electronic field produced from two electrodes. As for frequencies i understand Dave actually has tested many different frequencies also before settling on the current system.

But Buster is spot on, lets get behind Dave and try and make a difference. Its only $100

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Buster fin said..
And so how many of us have thrown in a hunge to get the testing done?

I have and I hope a lot more do

It would be good to see and get one and I would love them to be portable to attach to other boards, all in good time I suppose

Katana if your reading this your link on your web page to buy one seems broken?

I live in Sydney but if I was up the far north I would be buying them or something like it now!

BF,, I'm in for a few..
No use whinging about the problem,,, help someone do something about it..
Donation or whatever ,, what a great cause,, I just see it as a contribution to the whole debate. I've put some of my money where my mouth is,,,

Yeah I threw in a couple as well. I have two units and will be looking at a third when my next board gets finished. It'd be great to see these things tested in SA

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brownie49 said..
Katana if your reading this your link on your web page to buy one seems broken?

Go old-fashioned and ring him up. He's easy to talk to and helpful.

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brownie49 said..

Buster fin said..
And so how many of us have thrown in a hunge to get the testing done?

I have and I hope a lot more do

It would be good to see and get one and I would love them to be portable to attach to other boards, all in good time I suppose

Katana if your reading this your link on your web page to buy one seems broken?

I live in Sydney but if I was up the far north I would be buying them or something like it now!

thanks Brownie
we are also focused on the transferable unit .
our It guy is on to that page and should be fixed soon .