I went to surf at a place called goat island got there about mid morning and it look good overhead pretty clean and only one guy out.Did the long paddle out and started taking turns catching waves with the other guy, He was out there since sunrise he caught a few more and went in. When the bigger set come in at this place they peak a little further out from the tip of the island about three hundred yards out. On one of these sets I thought I saw a large turtle on the face of the wave. Didn’t think anything of it and kept surfing, A while later after catching a wave I paddled over the reef to get back out to the peak I looked to the right and there was a large tiger cruising along parallel to me. It was big enough to fill my field of view. left turn and catch anything that could move me towards shore. I was in four wheel drive all the way in. Two things I thought about after taking a shower one that wasn’t a turtle I saw two I finally met up with the big tiger that was suppose to cruise around there. I still like to surf there just not by myself. I like to tease my friends with I don’t have to swim fast just faster than you.
bill,
land or sea type ?
herb
Does swimming with a dozen or more leopard sharks at the cove count? Not exactly a dangerous encounter compared to the other stories on this thread, but it was a pretty cool experience. I also saw a sleeping horn shark up close while snorkeling off Catalina. I haven't had any major fin sightings while surfing luckily (knock on wood).
Orca Story
Steamer Lane, 1970 or so, Spring, high tide, three foot windswell bending around the point.
There were three of us out catching the wedges that refract off the cliff in front of the boneyard. The usual number of spectators on the cliff throwing rocks and smoking dope. We started hearing a big ruckus at Seal Rock. People started walking away from the cliff, some of them shouting “SHARK!” After the next wave passed we watched in awe as a couple of BIG orcas started hauling up on the rock trying to grab a stray sea lion or two. They managed to nab a couple of bulls that slipped off the top due to fracas caused by every one climbing over each other to gain the highest ground. Musical chairs with consequences.
If you’ve ever seen a full grown male sea lion, you know how big they are. The two whales frolicked like kittens with a mouse until it got boring and they gobbled them up in a couple of bites. We got the message and hightailed it in and up the rocks to get a better look. By that time they had had their fill and were gone. All that was left was a couple tufts of fur and a blood slick. It all happened in less than five minutes.
Howzit Harlan, I used to surf Goat Island a lot when the winds were right for it so I am familar with th breas out there. Never saw any sharks but lots O Man o Wars. It is a spot that is perfect for sharks sice i is a ways from shore and a lot of deep water around the area so definitely a place to keep your eyes and ears alert when surfing out there. Aloha,Kokua
Another one for you Kokua
We did a air assault mission from Oahu to Barking sands Kauai slung under our helicopter a hummer and a 105 mm howitzer. On final approach to barking sand we were over the water where the murky water and clear water meet not that far off shore . I was looking thru the center cargo hatch making sure the load wasn’t doing anything strange. Thru the arms of the gun I saw a very large great white come out of the murky water roll over with its mouth wide open then sink back into the clear water. I wished I had fallen asleep and was dreaming. Two years later we had some training at Barking sands we had all kinds of water toys with us. I went surfing at majors bay? When I remembered what I saw just a little ways up the shoreline. Got out of the water and started fishing caught a five pound blue fin trevally.
Aloha Harlan
Being from FL I’ve seen hundreds. Stepped on them, have run into them, been diving with them, even had a hammerhead nudge the nose of my board once. For the most part they aren’t scary. They have certain attitudes when their hunting. When their hunting (in frenzy) get out of the water. They can also sense fear. They are no different than most other predators … opportunists. They attack the weak, frightened or hurt. And they know the difference. I’ve been diving with 40 all around me knowing that I was totally safe. Humans are not on the menu and 99% of everyone who’s ever been bitten it’s been a case of mistaken identity.
BTW, NEVER eat shark. They are not as prolific as most fish (don’t breed as fast, grow as rapidly). Most bare a few live young during a long gestation period. Many are warm blooded … the Great White is. They are the top predator and extremely important to the food chain. They are being slaughtered by the millions which will eventually cause an imbalance in the seas. Anyone who has ever been diving with these incredible creatures can tell you, they are one of natures most beautiful and perfect beasts. And not to be feared. Stop the genocide. Don’t EVER eat shark.
Sharks are beautiful. Grey Nurse shark dive, East Coast N.S.W 2010!!
What about this one looking straight at the camera…kind of creepy!
Bahamas … Grey Reef Sharks
https://swaylocks7stage.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/_dsc2720_#1.jpg
It isn't the red triangle but there are plenty of sharks around here. I've seen several out in the water and I get out when I see them. Lots of people are still spooked after the swimmer got munched down at Avila Beach a few years ago. I don't know if awareness picked up after that but there seem to be a lot more shark reports.
Here's a notice from just last week at my local beachbreak...
The more shark food in the area, the more sharks will show up. Seals used to be hunted, now their protected. More food, more sharks. More sharks isn’t a problem unless you look like shark food.
As a kid growing up in Tahiti ,I have etched in my memory the sight of Japanese,Chinese,and Korean fishing boats in the harbor with shark fins drying by the hundreds,on lines like laundry drying in the sun.The fishing boats were not allowed in port in later years with the shark fins,probably moved somewhere else,but I know the practice still goes on.And as kids,we used to eat shark fin soup in the chinese restaurants quite frequently,but thankfully not available anymore,at least not on the printed menu!
Nice photo Greg, that water visibility in the tropics is insane!!
Hey Kava, good news, California is taking steps toward banning shark fin products in the state-
One of 2 that made News on CNN
Twisted photo Greg!! Mark Healey? balls of steel!!?
‘People get killed in friendly fire in war and humans are pretty intelligent for the most part. Animals make mistakes too’
http://www.surfermag.com/features/healey-rides-great-white-sharks/
I’m not sure if this will work outside the UK but it’s a really good documentary:
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/gordon-ramsay-shark-bait
This was part of a series on sustainable fishing, as an aside it also show’s Gordon Ramsay Not acting up!
Hey Marsh friendly fire isn’t friendly :o
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One of 2 that made News on CNN
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White Shark, or Tiger Shark? I hope that board was saved as a wall hanger. Would look great on the wall of a seafood restaurant, eh? Haleiwa Joe's perhaps.