I would love to surf before work, about sunrise, east central Florida. But I heard sharks feed at dawn and dusk. Is it a big risk, or only a little riskier than surfing in the day, and therefore not really a problem.
it is true that they do feed at dusk and dawn im slowing becoming a marine biologist and trying to get a masters in ichthyology lol but you have so many other factors to weigh in what type of sharks are in our area what is the bathymetry in your area like. do you surf near a shark breeding ground. I surf in the morning and late at dusk in sc and have caught sharks that would make you piss your pants but the likelihood off being attacked is slim to non. but by all means if you feel extremely unconformable in the water your surfing that day trust your gut.
Well considering dawn patrol is a fairly regular thing and shark bites are still less likely that getting in a wreck driving to the beach and getting hit by lightning in the parking lot and winning the lottery I would say yeah it is worth the risk.
Paula: "So, you were bitten by a dolphin? Tripp: "Not just any dolphin. A Great White dolphin." (From movie "Failure to Launch")
Betty, I can tell you that during the winter months I regularly make dawn patrol a staple of my day , it helps me maintain my perspective in life. In the summer I just don't have the time which really is a big excuse for me to be lazy but there is something really cool about those clean early morning conditions and the lack of people that soothes the soul. I think you have some friends that would go , they just might have to cut back on work !
Betty, I surf the same areas as you, and as you can see by my screename I surf at night, so I know nothing of this Dawn Patrol stuff, but what I can tell you from what i've heard, is that it's magical. Is there risk of getting bit? Well yes, yes there is, but it could happen any day, any time, any place, so don't worry to much about it. I would just pay attention to the water, make sure you aren't paddling around in pods of bait fish, also pay attention to the birds, if they are diving down all around you and getting fish, chances are the sharks are doing the same thing beneath the surface. If you see a fin, make sure it's not a dolphin before freaking out, 99% of the time that's all it is. Other than that, like others have said, even with the increase in risk, it's still more likely that you'll get into a fatal car accident on your way to work or get struck by lightning twice in the same spot. Hope that helps!
This reminds me, last Friday morning I saw a couple of 4ft little buggers feeding in the shallows. They came in really close to shore and got stuck so they had to wiggle their way back into deeper water. Happened right in front of me. With as many sharks as we have here in Florida, your chances are probably the same whether its dawn/dusk or noon. The only difference maybe that the water and the beach are a little more crowded during mid-day, giving you some sense of security, but I bet your legs and hands hanging off your board have the same amount of vulnerability no matter what time of the day you're surfing. I would suggest to just stay out of inlets and waves that break a lot further offshore since they love to hang around those areas. In other words, as long as you're not surfing somewhere like Monster Hole alone at the crack of dawn, then I think you're ok.
Mclovin, quit keeping old Joe from eating. And to be honest...I'm more worried about jellyfish than sharks (got stung twice within an hour of the first sting on sunday) I bumped into a 5ft at cocoa beach and everything is fine. Sharks mostly keep to themselves if there's enough food and you're not near their breakfast. Just watch the water more when you're doing dawn patrol.
Betty, bring a friend, cuts your chances down to 50%. The 'ol - You don't have to out paddle the shark, just your friend.
Thanks McLovin, dawn patrol SUP and Indirect, nice to hear from the Florida boys that really no need to worry anymore than daylight surfing. The inlet comment makes sense. I can't wait to surf at dawn. Antoine, I think you know my girl who will def be up for this she is a wild woman!
I hope you can convince the rest of the betties to go with you. Getting my teeth cleaned on Wednesday and i'll talk to another one of the betties just to see if I can convince the sponger to go!
Yeah but you should see her on that sponge. She charged up a 7' wave, took the drop, did a 360, it was a thing of beauty and took my breath away!
