Aloha Bernie, As one who has been chased by a Tiger I can say I was just paddling to catch a wave and who knows what would have happened if I had not caught the wave because the shark was right behind me. On Kauai we noticed the increase of shark sightings about 10 years after they stopped letting people catch turtles. They are one of the tigers favorite foods and there are so many in the water these days that they get in the way when riding a wave. Remember those boads with the green and yellow painted bottoms, don't see them much these days because they look like a turtle. We have friend who was a shark fisherman and he caught over 600 just outside Hanalei Bay and the Napali has a nickname of "The Shark Freeway" and every bay is an off ramp. Bethany was just splashing the water that morning when she got hit and she was in the middle of a group paddling back out after catching a wave.You also have to remember that Tunnels is a reef break about a 1/4 mile from shore and the sharks swim right past it. I was living right across the street from Tunnels then so I saw some of the action. I also worked with a guy who was in the water and saw the whole thing happen. I also have known the Blanchards and Holt is a very close friend and he has also told me what he saw nd he was the one who saved her by stopping the bleeding. As we have always said if it's your turn then good luck. Aloha,Kokua
I don’t know Kokua
got this used board Terry Chung made for Alekai Kinimaka many years ago and it’s still one of my favorite minguns
Here’s one I got two weeks ago in Hanalei and its even brighter but its an epoxy.
For me dealing with the Great Whites I don’t think color had much to do with it. Especially since I live in the land of black suits and white logo-less surfboards. Seems to me color would matter if you were down in the water with the shark such as diving. But wouldn’t anything on the surface being back-lit by the sun/light just be a dark silhouette to a shark looking up from bellow, no matter what color it was?
Aloha Bernie, All of Alekai's boards have been green and yellow for years now but not exactly what I meant and I wish I had a picture of what I was talking about. So did you get to meet Terry? He is a great guy and one of the best when it comes to shaping as far as I am concerned. The color scheme I was referring to has a darker green to it and more of a defined design, but there were a lot of them around for a while before people thought they were attracting the man in the grey suit. That board of AleKai's looks like it was glassed by Imua since he was known for the coconut leaf design. Aloha,Kokua
I have seen tiger sharks as close as 6 feet from me. I have had a tiger shark miss biting me by a foot or so. I have also seen a shark feeding frenzy just a couple hundred yards away from where we were surfing. I’ve seen guys do the weirdest things when sharks swim directly at them, including myself. The worse was when the shark almost bit me. I totally lost it, and my friend had to snap me out of my panic.
During my 40+ years surfing in Ewa Beach only 2 guys were bitten, and I knew both of them. I think they both got bitten because the shark was right under their board riding in the wave. Sharks do that all the time, they ride in the wave so they don’t have to swim as much.
My brother and I used to surf at Kea’au where the guys on the boogey board got bitten. We used to camp out there a lot when we were in high school, and spend a whole weekend there. I almost always body surfed there because it was a really shallow reef. We heard that there were sharks there, but I never saw one.
The world is out of balance, and modern man is to blame for the imbalance in the ocean. It is over fished, then when things get really bad, no fishing rules are imposed. Our ancestors used a system known as Kapu to keep things in balance. You were not allowed to do certain things at certain times based on years and years of experience. We all know that the ocean is a foreign place for humans. We are in someone else’s house when we into the ocean. Show respect, pay your respect, and maybe the residents will be good to you.
Who knows why certain people are bit or eaten by sharks while others are not? I don’t, but I don’t think the kicking I usually see when people try to catch waves is going to attract sharks. They’re all ready out there looking at us from below, and there’s definitely something else that makes them decide to take a bite. Maybe it’s a piece of jewelry, or the color design on the bottom of your board. I never ever like having a red bottom on my board, but I’ve had a few like that.
In my case we were hanging out on the beach waiting for the surf to get better watching the kids surf. They started acting weird and all came in at one time saying there was a shark out there acting strange. So, like the older fools that we were, we decided to go out since everyone else came in. I told the kids they were crazy and that the sharks weren’t going to bother anyone. Within a half hour of going out the damned shark came at me with mouth open and teeth showing. I missed seeing the approach, but I saw the eyes of my good friend just about pop out of his head. I turned in time to see the shark entering the water about a foot from my leg. It had jumped out of the water and for some reason barely missed getting my leg. I think it was just a warning. Telling me that I was getting too cocky and I was in the shark’s home, not mine.
My heart still races a bit when I see a shark up close, but I try to keep calm and remember that it’s their house.
What has been scaring the crap out of me lately are the monk seals in the lineup. They’ll pop up next to you and they are big. A shark with that girth would have a very big mouth. I know why resinhead hates seals, I don’t like them either. Seals and turtles are the favorite meals of BIG sharks. When they start hanging out in the lineup, you need to keep a watch for sharks.
Think about this… shark country is almost always murky. Some days you can’t see your feet because the water is that murky. We don’t get to see the sharks until they are really close, riding in the swell or the fins break the surface. If you look for them you will usually see one. It’s what they do after you see them that makes you go in or stay out.
I don’t think it has had a bit of difference to people kicking their feet, and it hasn’t stopped anyone from going out solo.
You arm chair experts are classic. Just do a google search on what causes shark attacks. Below are a few examples of what I found in about 2 min. It been common knowledge for years splashing attracts shark so just except it. You’ll paint your boards with patterns and special colors, take off your watch’s and jewelry, not wear bright colors, get out if your bleeding, but kicking and splashing is OK? Hows that? You guys have all had the encounters you’ve had because you were out there sending signals that attracted the shark…especially all the kicking and splashing. It is accepted sound attracts shark long before anything else does. It should be common knowledge that when your surfing sharky water you should try to limit ANY AND ALL signals that might attract a shark. That’s why I brought this topic up in the first place. What little help you may get by kicking your feet isn’t worth losing your arm, your leg, your friend or your life.
#1)Considerable research has been devoted to finding out what stimuli attract sharks and incite them to attack. Certain types of irregular sounds - like those made by a swimmer in trouble or a damaged fish - seem to attract sharks from great distances. Sound, rather than sight or smell, seems to be a shark’s primary cue for moving into an area. Some scientific experiments indicate that sharks can distinguish light colors from dark, and that they may even be able to distinguish colors.Yellow, white, and silver seem to attract sharks. Many divers maintain that clothing, fins, and tanks should be painted in dull colors to avoid shark attacks.
#2)Why Do Sharks Attack Humans?
**Sharks do not attack humans for the sole purpose of hunger. In fact, sharks do not know what the feeling of hunger is, and in fact, can go for many months without eating. This is not to say that sharks do not attack with the intention of seeking prey. Many attacks on divers and surfers especially can be attained to searching for food. To a shark, a surfer on a surfboard slightly resembles that of a seal or sea lion, or a diver in a black wetsuit can look like other prey. ****Sharks are in fact attracted by splashing and vibrations in the water, and it can sometimes be attributed to attacks. Most scientists have not been able to predict why and where sharks attacks.**
**#3)**Avoid erratic movements**. Avoid using erratic movements such as those created by your pet when swimming or such as when you are fooling around in the water. These movements attract sharks; they resemble the behavior of an injured prey or one in distress. Excessive splashing can also attract sharks.
#4)Surfboards and Seals Seen from below, swimmers or surfboarders are often mistaken for seals or sea lions, whose fatty bodies are a favorite treat for sharks. Human splashing creates irregular ripples in the water below, which to a shark may indicate an injured seal or fish, that likely be an easy meal.
I remember reading a recent study that said kicking in short bursts imcreased your speed by 9% during that burst. Every pro I’ve ever witnessed kicked/kicks their feet while scratching for a wave they’re not in perfect position for. I’m watching the O’neill World Cup as I type this, and unless the surfer is right on the peak, they’re kicking like hell to catch it. I’m not getting into the shark debate.
Here’s a link to the study, as well as a video clip of some guy who kicks for every wave. I think he must be a kook:
http://videosportsanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/07/does-kicking-help-to-paddle-faster-in.html
Oh well.
I guess surfing for 44 years at a break named shark country because of all the sharks and being at least a 3rd generation water loving Hawaiian makes me an “arm chair expert.”
I guess having been up close to several large sharks (not by choice), or having one come awfully damned close with it’s mouth open and teeth looking like it wanted to hurt me doesn’t help either.
I don’t know about great whites though cause I haven’t been around one of those. I’ve seen large tigers, hammerheads, and various reef sharks pass by or riding in the wave as close as 6 feet away. Everyone near by stayed calm and the shark went on, or sometimes passed a couple of times. If it stays longer, it’s time to go in. I’ve had a good sized tiger swim under me while I was surfing a wave for quite a way once. I tried to stay calm and not fall off my board, then keep riding till I got to the beach. I’m sure that if I fell off the shark would have snapped at me just because I was right there.
Sharks have an ability to sense electrical currents. Our bodies use electrical pulses to make everything work. Sharks can sense when we are in an injured state, when we are in an unaware state, and when we are very strong and confident. We send out vibes that other animals can sense. They use that ability to decide if we are going to be an easy target or not. They may come around and look, but if they don’t think you’re an easy target they won’t bother.
Another thing… paddling really hard for a wave causes just as much of a noise. I imagine that a shark seeing a turtle or seal from below only using it’s arms and only pulling one side at a time would look like an injured animal. Most fish use both side together for pulling and alternate sides to turn. Seeing the arms flailing away and the feet hanging off the back of a board like they don’t work would probably say…
Having a better understanding of nature, and being in tune with your surroundings is how you live long.
Kicking your feet to catch a wave can go from having purpose to being ridiculous. Saying that all people kicking their feet to catch a wave will attract sharks is the same.
Come to Oahu and surf shark country during the summer when the waves break. You won’t be able to see your feet when you’re sitting on your board. Tell one of us that we’re kicking our feet and we’re going to attract sharks. Maybe someone will be nice and point out a shark when it swims by. The last time I surfed there everyone went in except me, and when I got in 20 minutes later they tell me, “wow didn’t you see that big shark?”
Don’t surf sharky water if you are afraid. If guys are out and they kick their feet to catch waves and you don’t like it go in and surf somewhere else.
i commented early on about kicking and will add nothing new, however on the bling bling watches—shiny things attract hunters, it’s very common down south for folks to get hit on the wrist, hand or ankle(braclet) by fish other than sharks
Surfing somewhere else would be great advice SC if this wasn’t my home where I surf. And everywhere I surf here is sharky so it’s not about being afraid it’s about being smart. I think instead of moving I’ll just continue my campaign to get the people I surf with to at least acknowledge the danger and think about keeping a low profile while surfing. Although I must admit all these comments have eased my mind a little about wether kicking helps or not. I at least feel now that it’s not entirely pointless in some cases. But like Lances last comment pointed out most of the kicking comes from bad positioning, as in trying to catch a mushy wave or a wave that your to far on the shoulder to catch. It’s not a skill or a necessity it’s a last ditch effort.
Howzit sharkcountry, Sounds like you have had your share of shark encounters and I think that even though great whites get the most attention,Tigers may be more dangerous due to the fact they will attack and eat anything. A few years back an akule fish boat had a net full the bay for about 3 days and the sharks were going crazy. People were seeing them at all the breaks in the Bay and then there were like 6 or more just hanging out 10 ft off shore at the spot we paddle out to middles from. They closed the bay for 3 days due to all the action and the coast guard finally told the akule boat to get the boat out and take the net full of dead fish with them. There is a rule about how long you can keep the fish left in the net and I believe it's about 12 hrs and not 3 days. Now it is enforced and even though that same boat still comes to Hanalei it leaves after a day or so. You are definitely not an arm chair expert and no where's in the other guys post does he mention ever seeing or being around a shark. I know I didn't see the one chasing me but the 2 guys sitting close to me did and 1 is a born and bred in Hawaii local. I hope I never come eye to eye with one and they sure aren't in Lake Havasu. Aloha,Kokua
BIlly,
I see your point in all this, but I think that a human, in the water, paddling with their arms, on a piece of foam, is an erratic motion in itself. There isn’t anything in nature that a shark would encounter that looks like that. No matter how smooth a surfers paddle is, its still clumsy looking to any ocean dwelling creature. Lets hope its a while before they run out of other options and come into the line up. Hope all is well.
Your right Pico, surfing in many places in Northern California (and
Hawaii) is just plain asking for trouble. And that’s why, just like the
Hawaiians on here say, you have to respect the ocean and you have to
respect the creatures in it and what they can do to you. Respect in my
case is shown by restraint in my actions. I try to act as if I were in a
church or on holy ground and I don’t make noises, talk loudly or splash
around needlessly out of respect for the sharks that live there. Our
place in the ocean is that we have no place in it. All of our action
while in the ocean are like ringing a dinner bell to a shark and
paddling out is like walking into a bear cave. You have to be mindful of
your action and you have to minimize your chances of awaking the beast
by doing all you can to not be detected. I do these things out of
respect for the sharks, the people in the water around me, and because common sence tells me to. I don’t need to be there when someone gets attacked and I don’t need any shark encounters of my own to know I don’t want to get bit. And maybe, unlike others on here with numerouse encouters my tactics have ben sucsessful.
And just let me say to all of you thanks for all your opinions. I now have some new perspectives on this subject. And please remember I love and respect you all and I only want all of you to surf safe and keep all your arms and legs where they are.
Aloha
what would make me giggle is if SUP’ers would kick their feet a bit when they paddle…
would look like the charleston with a broomstick…
Why Do People Kick Their Feet When They Paddle?
They wanted to post a reply on “why do people kick when they paddle” thread on swaylock’s.
You’re not bitin?? How about they heard the search function was working? Yeah, ok I should get back to work.
Would love to see a kangaroo sup’er kick while it was out paddling around.
Aloha Kokua,
My wife and her best friend went to Kauai back in the 80’s and they went on a helicopter tour of Na Pali. They met a local who told them he used to do the water tours from Hanalei into Kalalau. According to the story, the guy was on his own one day crusing the coast in a big zodiak looking for goats. He saw a goat on the cliffs so he shot it with a rifle then he went in and tied it to the boat with a rope. He was dragging the dead goat behind the boat and a very large shark bit it. He thought he’d have some fun and drag the shark, but the shark was so big it started pulling the boat backwards, and the water started coming in over the back. He had to cut the rope before the boat swamped. Apparently the shark was the biggest he’d ever seen and way too powerful for the boat even though the boat was pretty powerful.
In the 70’s we were surfing shark country during the spring break swell, and we saw a shark way outside in the waves on the outer break a good mile or more offshore. The whole top of it came out of the water when it passed through the waves and the shark was a long as the beach houses were. I estimate that to be close to 30 feet. My Dad say he thinks it was a whale shark, but it was so far away heading towards Barber’s Pt. that we didn’t worry.
Another shark that we know well is the big Tiger that hung around Ala Moana park in the 80’s. I think they called her “the Manager”. I’ve see her up close more than a few times, but she always just slowly cruised though the line up heading straight towards the mouth of Kewalo Basin. Very surreal sight when she’d pass by. She’d start around big lefts and make a straight line towards the channel passing right through Courts. The pack of surfers would split in two like fish do on these new nature shows, and the shark and her baby would swim right by. Sometimes she’d be no more than 10 feet away and the water is crystal clear, so you can see every feature clear as can be. She was at least 9 to 12 feet when I last saw her and looked like something designed just to kill. Huge head mouth, and all that weird pattern on the skin. As far as I know she never attacked any one. She did scare the hell out of my friend when he was one of only 2 guys out and he went in.
The ocean is not our home it’s home for all these other creatures. Be mindful of them and don’t provoke them. If we only fished for sustinance we’d not have these problems. The sharks would have plenty of easy to catch and tasty food.
I hear that Billy.
Howzit sharkcountry, Totally true story and I am trying to remember the boat captains name because he told me the story a couple of days after it happened.I am pretty sure it was a Napali Zodiac boat and it may have Stephen Khoene or Shane Yam Young who is one of my hanai brothers. We had Grampy at Hanalei point but he didn't bother anybody, it was usually the young guy and some guys just taking the wrong off ramps.They are sure they got the one who took Bethany's arm and they had his tail hanging from a 12 D Cat with the bucket extended high and 1/3 of him was still laying on the sand. Billy Hamilton and Ralph Young got him outside of the Bowl. I lived across the street from Tunnels and couldn't help hearing the siren from the EMT van and then the Fire Dept. and that was when Bethany got hit. Her Dad was supposed to get a knee operation and while in prep they cancelled his surgery to take care of Bethany so he was right there when they brought her. He told me that when word was going around the hospital surgery area they said it was a shark attackin haena on a girl. He knew that Holt was taking her and Alana to tunnels that morning so it crossed his mind that it could be one of the girls.
It’s so hard to understand why this stuff happens, but today Bethany is doing so good. Why did the shark decide to get her when there were others all in the same space.
You have to wonder where she’d be if all of this didn’t happen. Even though she lost her arm and has to deal with that all her life she is probably going to do well.
I have to agree with sharkcountry here, “why does this stuff happen”? It is hard to understand logically. Is it entirely random? I saw few tigers during my eight years on Oahu and was in the ocean often. They must be great predators. Once on a dive around koko head. Two divers entered after I completed my dive. They rushed up the lava to the car park out of breath and glared at me white as ghosts. “Didn’t you see that huge tiger?” No. They couldn’t believe me. They said it was right on my trail and ran into it face to face. It was a long drift dive and deep water along a wall. I dove there frequently. Another time my friend screaming on a wave, cmon Dave lets get outta here - SHARK! as he was riding past me without a smile and I’m paddling back out to the line-up.
It remains mysterious to me.