How high of a risk are you actually at surfing in San Diego?

Question

I am moving to San Diego and want to join the surf team at my new school. However I am quite afraid of sharks.....

Answer 1

Well, let's see. Millions of people go in the water in Southern California each year -- in fact on some summer weekends there are a few hundred thousand people out there in a single day.

Most years, there are precisely zero shark attacks recorded in southern California. (The cooler waters of northern California have a few more, but still very few.)

So the odds of getting chomped are somewhere less than one in ten million.

The dangers while surfing are things like drowning, getting bonked by a surfboard (yours or someone else's), etc. Not sharks.

Answer 2

From your other question, I strongly suggest you take a surf lesson.

As they say in Hawaii, that's where sharks live - the ocean, that's their home, and everytime you go out you take a risk. Attacks are rare but they are increasing. Global warming along with more and more people going out...

Seals can be equally troublesome.

Answer 3

sharks that have the ability to attack rarely come within 12-13 miles of the coast line in San Diego. the only sharks near the coast in San Diego are sand sharks and leopard sharks, and leopard sharks usually stay away from the shore break.

the main marine animal risk in San Diego is sting rays, but they aren't going to kill you...unless you're steve erwin.

Answer 4

i learned to surf in san diego and there is almost a 0% chance that a shark will come within 100 feet of you.. youd be more at risk of stepping on a stingray. but they teach you to avoid that kinda stuff.

Answer 5

This whole dont be worried about sharks, the chances of getting hit by litening are bigger thing is such c**p. When you go into the ocean you are automatically putting your selve in a position where all kinds of animals might hurt  you.  Shark are always around, just because no one sees them 99% of the time does not mean they are not there. Of course this doesnt mean that you shouldnt join the surf team, just be aware that they are there, even when you dont see them. But the biggest risk for some trying to learn how to surf in SD are the crowds of people. Some days all the people in line up are nice and the will give you pointers and stuff like that. But some days you got those people that are just way to cool for anybody. The will sneak your waves and run you over if you dont watch out. If that happens just remind them the reason why there are surfing SD is because they are to scared to come to Hawaii and surf north shore.

Just go have fun and do whatever makes you feel safe.

Answer 6

You really have nothing to be afraid of as far as sharks go.  You have a better chance of being struck by lightning than you do of being attacked by a shark.  Have fun!  San Diego is a great city to grow up in...I know...I did!!!!

Answer 7

It is very unlinkely to be bit by a shark.  Most of the species are more afraid of humans than we should be of them.  There are three main types that attack humans.  The great white, tiger, and bull sharks.  But even in these species, unprovoked attacks (meaning the victim was unaware that they had entered waters with a shark present.  Handlers and shark divers are excluded from these statistics) are VERY rare.  In fact, between 2000 and 2005, there were only 18 unprovoked shark attacks in all of California with only 2 of those being fatal.  You can see this on the link I provided.

Answer 8

Don't worry at all.  Sharks attacks on humans are very rare.  They say that you will be killed by a fallen coconut before you would by a shark.  I think it's pretty funny, so don't worry at all.  Have fun in San Diego.