would you go out if it was chest high and glassy?

The question is.... who wouldn't?

 

Mason would go.

 

I would as long as I had my Bat Spray Shark Repellant.



BTW, that first can would be helpful around this forum at times. Just sayin'

 

Would be very cool to witness something like this! I don't think I would go out at that point, I would give it a day or so. Just not worth the hassle if you did get bit of having to go to the hospital for stitches, days out of the water for healing, etc. They are out there, it's their home, but why go into their house when this is currently going on? At that point you are asking for it

 

Gold.

 

Hey, I'll take a bottle of that Barry Cuda repellant.

 

Too bad it will only make him horny. Now, Cuda-B-Gone, that stuff really works!

 

Whoa!! Now wait a minute!!
I had nothing to do with it!!!

 

SPRAY SPRAY SPRAY.........

Barry, I'm feeling suicidal today. Do you have any suggestions?

 

I have done stupid things. That is one of them. It is not that fun, especially duck diving, waiting to get your face bit off. And if you fall off your board, even in crystal clear water, all that noise and turbulence created can egg them on, especially as you are climbing back on your board. Maybe if there were a few people out... that would lessen the odds.

 

negative

 

Insane ... chest high and glassy? I'd probably pass. I understand the temptation though.

It all depends on the day/wave. There's the chest high and glassy that you get maybe 20 times a year, and then there's the chest high (or a bit bigger) and glassy that you get maybe once a year; the day when your spot looks like some world class sh*t, rampy rather than ledgey, and barreling, slowly and continuously.

For that glorious day it would be a tough call.

 

Not right there, maybe 1/2 mile to a mile down the beach. I would want that scene to be out of eye sight before paddling out.

 

You damn right!

Looks like it's gonna be going off in Oklahoma tomorrow...shred the gnar!

 

Down here we have lots of sharks, and during swell season is their migratory season. Mostly spinners and blacktips. We have our share of bulls, lemons and tigers withan occasional hammerhead thrown in the mix. So there are a few questions I ask myself:

1. Is there bait? (This is a very important question).
2. Is the water clear?
3. Is the sun overhead?
4. Is there a lifeguard near by? If no, is there anyone nearby who can call 911.
5. Are there any other surfers out?
6. How good are the waves?
7. How long has it been since I surfed? (and will there be waves tomorrow?)
8. Any fishing boats nearby?
9. Do I feel lucky today?
10. Are they big sharks or little sharks? Lots or a few or just one?

These go through my head, and usually I paddle out. I would never get good surf if I let a few toothy locals scare me away. Lightning scares the crap out of me and if I hear thunder, I'm gone.

 

That's a sensible approach. Mitigate the risks. I like it.

As far as lightning goes ... once I was packing it up due to a thundercloud, as a storm was approaching from the shore/sideshore. Everyone left. I don't remember if there was thunder or not, but it started raining, and I remember thinking, 'possibility of lightning, I'm outta here."

Just as I zip up my board bag, the waves start to look better. Storm stayed barely onshore, offshores started blowing, chest high groomed waves. I paddled back out and surfed with one or two guys. One of my more memorable sessions for sure!

 

A loaded question for sure. I have been out during blue fish blitzes wich is a little unnerving but that is some crazy ass chit right there. I've seen makos leaping and chasing bait in Seaside Park but it was flat. Can't say I have ever seen a shark blitz at that magnitude. Thanks for the post. Something to chew on. Ha

 

Salt water piranha! I got cut up on my wrist paddling out in perfect OH surf through a school of bluefish. I went right to the peak (still had dry hair), told everyone I was bleeding and they needed to let me get a set wave out of there or I would stay and bleed until the sharks showed up. The crew let me have one in, and I still have scars.