As surfers, what are your thoughts on sharks?

Question

Discovery Channel's Shark Week is upon us, and so I thought I'd open up a little YA discussion. A few questions, but feel free to just discuss/share your opinions and encounters with sharks.

Have you ever seen a shark while surfing? Describe.

Are you scared of sharks? Why?

What shark do you fear the most?

(((ps, Shark Week is July 29-Aug 4, so make sure you set up your DVR to record. Knowledge is power.)))

Answer 1

Seen sharks lots here in Australia, no big deal, you get used to them. If they are big go in quick, if just a small tiger or grey nurse keep surfin. Best thing to do is wear a fluro wetsuit not a black one, then they can at times distinguish what you may be.                      White pointer, different story-walk on water.

Answer 2

I love to surf. But honestly, sharks are my biggest fear. I am paranoid of them because I can vividly imagine them in the water. No I have never seen a big shark when surfing . The Great White scares me the most but you shouldn't have to worry about them in Florida, in Florida you should be most concerned about Bull Sharks still very dangerous. But to stay comfterable surf with friends. It makes you forget about it and your having a lot more fun. The other person was right, being paranoid about sharks takes the fun out of surfing. The only part of Florida I went to was the gulf so very flat. Good Luck with your surfing.

Answer 3

i've never seen a shark well surfing but i don't think about them to much when i'm surfing because were i live is not were sharks are. but i would think of them in flordia or hawaii.

Answer 4

i live in florida and i've been surfing for about 3 years now, i see a shark almost every time i surf, mostly small ones. Granted it does freak me out a little when i see one (its only natural) but its a true fact that your more likley to die from a coconut falling on your head than a shark bite, so i keep this in mind when im out there. Im not really afraid of sharks, as long as there not really big, i useally just forget i even saw them, if your constantly afraid of sharks it'll take the fun out of surfing

Answer 5

As a surfer i have never really thouught about sharks because where i live there arent to many unless  i go out very far on a boat . But i would only be scarred or cautious about them if i was in a warmer place .beacause where i live it is cold all the time =((

Answer 6

haha yeah did u watch the ocean of fear last night I have been waiting for shark week it is kind of the halloween for surfers once a year in the summer peak surfing time they do  a shark week gotta love it cause it makes you only want to get out there more lol !!! plus my surf intstructer first  told me you are more likely to have a coconut fall on your head and die then been eaten bye a shark attack !! (:

Answer 7

Get to learn how to surf this summer!! boo-yah.

I am deffinately scared of sharks. One of my worst fears but im still taking the plunge because surfing is one of the sports ive wanted to do since i was little.

In Australia you deffinately have to be aware of sharks because of the warmer water and i am most scared of great whites.

One of my teachers is a surfer and was  telling me about seeing sharks when he surfs. Says its scary but hes still here today so whats the problem?!

Answer 8

As a surfer, you shouldn't have any thoughts on sharks.

While you're sitting out there on your board waiting to catch a wave, you'd go freakin' nuts.

Answer 9

They make nice meals.

Answer 10

No, haven't seen one yet (It depends on where you surf)

Yeah, scared of sharks (why wouldn't I?) because I don't want to get killed

Great white sharks are what I realy fear

Answer 11

No sharks in sunny bantham, england.

i watched jaws as a kid.....need i say more!!

i fear the ones around the pool table that take your money!!!

Answer 12

I live in Santa Barbara and I surf almost everyday. I've never seen a shark before but, my older brother said he saw one once. I'm not afraid of them though.

Answer 13

Seen a shark while surfing?  Yes, all the time.  I live and surf in Central Florida where every year we usually have almost half of all the reported attacks in the world.

Scared?  Not really, just cautious.  I was "hit" over thirty years ago.  Leash snapped on a double+ overhead day at Monster Hole.  While swimming in, in the middle of the "hole", one came up to taste me.  My right foot was kicking up and it sliced the bottom of my foot.  The shark went one way and I went the other towards the beach.

Around here the Bull is the number one to watch out for.  They are very aggressive.  I've never seen one in-shore, but we do have the occasional 12+ foot Tiger.

Answer 14

As a surfer.. no i havent seen any sharks..

*Am i scared of sharks? naww im not afraid of them.. they wont stop me from doing what i love..im not afraid of them to where i cant step foot in the ocean. if i saw one that was about 5 feet away then yeah i would be scared. But other than that no im not afraid of them

*Hmm the Tiger shark. they are the most common shark found in shark attacks...*

:] :] :]

Remember. you cant be afraid of a shark unless you actually encounter one in the ocean!

SURFS UP!

Answer 15

wtf u live in florida and surf dude no way cuz florida is freaking flater than well sumthing flat trust me i live in miami, idc about sharks thinking about bad stuff makes bad stuff happen to u but if i was to meat a great white i would be scared

Answer 16

I am a professional surfer and I go alot of different places to surf and I see them all the time... especially living in Australia with the warmer water and all.

No I am not afraid of sharks because we, as surfers, are in there territory as much as they are in ours. I think if I were to get bit, in fact I know I would, get back out there and continue surfing because that would have been Gods plan for my life and I couldn't change the fact that I got bit so why not live it up. Meeting and surfing with Bethany Hamilton before and after she got bit has made me realize that as well.

I would say the bull shark... they come in so many different sizes and their aggressive they will continually bite you.

Answer 17

As a surfer you should not be the least bit scared of sharks.

you have a better chance of winning the lottery than getting bit by a shark.

visit this website http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/ISA...

you'll learn more..

Answer 18

i've been surfing for a while now and sharks dont really cross my mind..their either really small or their not even there..i mostly see dolphins which is pretty cool to see,but i also live in jersey so what do i know right? haha

Answer 19

I'm actually just starting to surf, but I live in So. Calif near the beach & do lots of swimming (races & training swims) in the ocean where I swim from 2 to 10 miles at a time. In all my years of doing this, I have only once seen a shark in the water - over in Hawaii during a race - 15 ft Tiger - & all swimmers were back in their boats quick. But I go back to Hawaii every year & do the race - it hasn't kept me out of the water - & that time, we were 5 miles from land, in the middle of the channel between Maui & Lanai. I'm not necessarily afraid of sharks - I keep getting back in the water - but I have a healthy respect for them. I'm cautious about where I swim & stay out of locations/situations where sharks might be more prevalent - like areas where seals congregate, or waters that are mirky/cloudy - or areas where rivers empty into the ocean (can be cloudy & carry things to eat). Two weeks ago, I was surfing up in Santa Cruz where whites tend to be more prevalent, but I stayed in clear waters & in areas not well known for sightings & I felt fine. Also - stayed with a group - not by myself. Just be aware of your surroundings, & then go have a good time! That's what getting in the ocean is all about.

Answer 20

Dear Laurie :

Sure I am aware! I've witnessed one "jumping doll" attack once and it's truly horrifying...

I wear divers' knife myself while surf... and know many that do the same... It may truly save Your life, if You have a chance to react. However, It is illegal in some areas, I may better risk to take the $2,000 fine, I may get it back later

Good surfin'

:-)