ABC news post yesterday reckons 40 percent of surfers would hit the water even after seeing sharks in the water - interesting read ?

Yep for me it's a no , have had 3 close encounters with sharks , 2 before entering the water and one in the water and one with orcas ( spotted them before hitting the water )- have bailed out every time

Depends on type and size.One type a definite no, so I guess I'm discriminating.

Thats a negative for me but saying that some brakes have resident sharks that dont cause problems

I dont like sharks. They take too many of the fish that I (almost) catch.
I always surf with one of these in my boardies pocket or tucked into my wetsuit:
www.calmas.com.au/shop/p/swat-t-stretch-wrap-and-tuck-tourniquet
And with one on these sitting on the roof of my car:
www.calmas.com.au/shop/p/north-american-rescue-combat-application-tourniquet-cat

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damned67 said..
I dont like sharks. They take too many of the fish that I (almost) catch.
I always surf with one of these in my boardies pocket or tucked into my wetsuit:
www.calmas.com.au/shop/p/swat-t-stretch-wrap-and-tuck-tourniquet
And with one on these sitting on the roof of my car:
www.calmas.com.au/shop/p/north-american-rescue-combat-application-tourniquet-cat

Funny I never thought of packing a first aid kit in the surfing bag , while on the boat when fishing it's one of the first things I pack in case someone gets stabbed / stung or cut . Probably should start throwing some gear in the surf bag as well .

I tuck one of those combat tourniquets into the chest zip flap at some spots after hearing of victims bleeding out before help arrives,theyre compact and really fast to apply, even in the water.

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Ricardo1709 said..
I tuck one of those combat tourniquets into the chest zip flap at some spots after hearing of victims bleeding out before help arrives,theyre compact and really fast to apply, even in the water.

That's my understanding too - if a shark takes a leg, can bleed out in minutes. Most likely not even going to make it to the beach.
Rapid application of the tourniquet can save a life.
plus, i figure it's a good insurance policy - I'm unlikely to be a hero for saving someones life (or my own) with a tourniquet.

Everyone is afraid of sharks, at least large ones. It's about understanding sharks and controlling your fear. If there is an aggressive 5m White Pointer in the water, no-one in their right mind is getting in the water, a 2m reef shark, different story,

Timely. I went for a desperation paddle this arvo when there were clearly no waves. Have paddled about 20 meters when two lifeguard trooper mobiles descend with lights flashing and sirens blaring. I dutifully exit the water to be told there were 5 2m sharks spotted down the beach. Am threatened with the police being called if I venture back out, as I was more than willing to do. Am told if I wait 40 minutes I can have my paddle. I suggested that they could have sign posted the threat, so I wouldn't have had to have gotten wet, and was informed that the pathway signs had indeed shown the beach was closed. Bollocks, there was no such notice when I went back up to the carpark. But still, being the upstanding citizen that I am, I jumped into my car, in my wet wetsuit and drive 2kms up the coast for my paddle where the sharks would surely not dream of venturing. Bloody nanny state. Anybody know if there is a legal requirement for me to obey the order of the lifeguard?

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Buster fin said..
Timely. I went for a desperation paddle this arvo when there were clearly no waves. Have paddled about 20 meters when two lifeguard trooper mobiles descend with lights flashing and sirens blaring. I dutifully exit the water to be told there were 5 2m sharks spotted down the beach. Am threatened with the police being called if I venture back out, as I was more than willing to do. Am told if I wait 40 minutes I can have my paddle. I suggested that they could have sign posted the threat, so I wouldn't have had to have gotten wet, and was informed that the pathway signs had indeed shown the beach was closed. Bollocks, there was no such notice when I went back up to the carpark. But still, being the upstanding citizen that I am, I jumped into my car, in my wet wetsuit and drive 2kms up the coast for my paddle where the sharks would surely not dream of venturing. Bloody nanny state. Anybody know if there is a legal requirement for me to obey the order of the lifeguard?

Pretty sure if you ignore the lifeguards, the cops can be called and charges laid. They need to tinker with how they manage sharks. For the Rottnest Channel swim and triathlon they have now changed their shark management plan, it used to be if a shark rocks up, swim is canceled. Now they assess the size and type of shark, plus it's behaviour. So if it's a small 2m grey nurse shark, then the swim would go ahead, a 5m hungry GW, different story.

No such pragmatism on the beaches though. Money talks I guess.

I tried to kite when a beach was shut at Trigg due to the chopper seeing a 2m shark. Life guard told me that that he would have to give me a fine if I went in the water, said it was a local council fine. There was no mention of the police.