So my 3 buddies and I were in about hip deep water, shooting the breeze and about to paddle out, the water was gentle and real clear that day , and a shark about 5 foot, swam by us 4-6 feet away from us. So we got out, stood on shore about ten minutes, got tired of waiting, went back in and had great 2 hour session and no more sightings. So I was wondering, do you bother getting out? I know sharks are always there whether you see them or not, so is it pointless to get out if one comes up so close?
I used to do exactly the same thing... get out, wait, then go back in. Now, unless they're chasing bait, I just stay out.
happened to me two summers ago down on topsail in snc.. shark breached right next to the pier and scared the crap out of me and a bunch of others.. 20 minutes later another one breached about 20 ft from me just inside of me... scared me even more.. i'm thinking if i catch a wave i might be right on top of the thing on the inside.. stayed in for about a half hour longer but wasn't having fun anymore bc i was so spooked
During the late summer they show themselves a lot down here, and I (and many others) have always kept surfing. It depends on what kind and how big of a shark. I see one thats spooks me and I wont push my luck, I'll split
Yeah..... Same deal. Be cautious with your surroundings, get out and assess the situation. Most of the time (up he in jersey at least) they are just mistaken for giant sunfish.
If it's a small shark I'll probly stay out...Comes from surfing New Symrna. Had about a 7-8ft shadow come right at me on a small day once in FL, I stood on the sandbar and had my board ready to shove between me and the shark if he decided I was on the menu. He got within about 6ft of me and turned and swam away parallel to the sandbar. Got out of the water for about 15 minutes and went back out and had a blast.
unless its a leopard shark or something or something under 4-5 feet, im getting out. Have surfed in a feeding or maing frenzy of leopards before, with the biggest being about 7 feet and a bunch of smaller ones. Leopards are bottom feeders pretty much not capable of a bite, so we were cool with it and had a blast, but they sat on the inside in the reefs. You could see like 20 dorsil fins just sticking up splashing around, so we would pop over the back of the wave as you approached the inside reef. But yeah, now that I live in low country, if I see one, I can't imagine not heading in for a bit.
I use to get spooked and get out for a few and wait, but now I just pull my feet and hands out of the water for a minute, wait for it to disapear, then continue surfing. Probably isn't the smartest of tactics, but i'm not getting out every time I see a fin.
I'm with DP SUP......landing gear up.... verify I am not on menu...then "as I was"......but I think it is one of the smarter tactics. Getting out only makes sense if you stay out. Getting in and out doesn't make much sense at all....seems like you'd only be adding to your edible appeal. Anywho, hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday and New Years. Peace on Earth and Waves for All
this past summer I was surfing and it was waist stomach and it was dusk to getting dark and I saw fin out of my left corner of my eye and damn that shark was 8 ft to my left coming towards me after that there was a little wave to get in and I was out of there. Then surfed the next morning and somebody was talking about seeing 1 early when they got in.
Depends on the clarity of the water. Really only an issue if it's murky...also, hold your ground. I dive with Bull sharks frequently and have only had issues when the water is not clear. Bottom line, they want nothing to do with you unless they think you are something else. Also, Perfect time to go!!! Waves are generally great! Let me know if you need guide, boards, rooms or transportation. I have some local friends there who run services. Also, check out my daily video surf report, it will get you excited. Each morning I post a 45 second clip of the day's surf from Santa Teresa...it's killer. http://www.barefootinpublic.com/surf-report Enjoy...Live The Lifestyle!
Nahhh.....I've only left the water once after being bumped by a bull. If they bump you their sizing you up. When I see a fin I just try to be more aware.
living in the northeast,i got bigger worries than sharks.sounds like an excuse just to get out the water.if u lived in northern california,australia,or south africa then id be more concerned.the only sharks iv ever seen are sand sharks.i caught 1 last summer fishing off the beach in sandy hook.that was the only shark iv ever seen in person and it wasnt scary.i dont even think they have teeth.you have a better chance getting struck by lightning.however if i was in the water and a shark came up,id stay still and try to let it get away and then calmly paddle in.if u start thrashing the water fighting to get out u might be featured on the next shark week
I see small fins from small brown sharks in Strathmere and don't sweat it. I did get out fast once when a buddy saw a thresher fin right near me.
depends on location, shark..etc some sharks are more agressive at certain times and places. for instance i wouldnt want to get caught up in a bait run in south florida in november. :/
