The Surfer’s Complete Shark Guide
As surfers, every time we enter the water, sharks are something that looms in the back of our minds. For some, the thought of surfing in the presence of our finned friends is just part of the sport. For others, it's an ever-present distraction. Shark attacks are a consequence of spending time in the shark's home, however, with some basic education, surfers can understand a bit more about their toothy counterparts and the best ways to stay safe in the waves. This shark guide covers shark attack facts, tips to avoid interactions, human impacts on sharks, and some of the most current shark repellent technologies on the market.
How likely am I to get bit?
The ISAF, (International Shark Attack File) studies the effect of human population growth and shark encounters. It records the number of reported attacks each year and categorizes them into provoked and unprovoked attacks. Provoked attacks are when people are bitten when trying to touch or bother the sharks. Unprovoked attacks are defined as an attack on a live human while in the environment of a shark. In 2021, the US lead the world in unprovoked attacks with 47, followed by Australia with 12. In the US, 28 of those unprovoked attacks happened in Florida and only one was fatal.
For perspective, there are 583 known species of sharks, and only 13 are known to have bitten a human 10 or more times. The odds of getting bit by a shark are 1 in 3.7 million, way less than getting struck by lightning which is 1 in 79,000. Even in Florida, the epicenter of shark attacks, one is still more likely to get attacked by an alligator than a shark.
For surfers, the first factor that decides the likeliness of a shark interaction is where you are surfing. Location tells us the types of sharks that live in the area, how sharky it is, and the history of shark activity or attacks. For example, for those surfing in Santa Cruz, California, or South Africa, these areas have high seal populations and are frequented by Great White sharks. On the other hand, if surfing in Florida, Bull sharks might be something to watch out for. In Waikiki, Hawaii, the waves are crowded and fish populations are sparse, so the likelihood of a shark sighting is slim to none.
Tips to Avoid Shark Encounters
These are some everyday tips to reduce your risk of a shark encounter.
Avoid surfing at dusk and dawn. Sharks are known to be more active during these times. Furthermore, the dim lighting makes it harder for the shark to differentiate what is prey and what is a surfer.
Don't surf in murky water. If you can't see through the water, the sharks can't either. As mostly visual predators, they might mistake you for their preferred prey.
Surf in a group and don’t be the furthest one out. Surfing in groups means safety in numbers. A crowd of surfers is much more intimidating to a shark than just a single surfer sitting far out in the lineup.
The bigger the board, the scarier you appear. Size is everything for sharks, and unfortunately for the boogie and short boarders out there, a log is more intimidating to a shark than a smaller vessel.
Don’t look like prey. Wearing bright colors and shiny jewelry can make you seem a bit more fish-like. These fits aren’t only eye-catching to those onshore, but catch the attention of our underwater buddies as well.
Avoid harbors, jetties, piers, and river mouths. This is harder said than done as lots of good surf breaks are found in these areas, however, they are also the preferred hang-out spots for sharks.
Avoid surf breaks with a high seal, turtle, and fish populations. Prey hang-out spots are like buffet lines for sharks, and you don't want to be mistaken for a tasty snack.
Finally, if you see a shark, or someone has reported a shark sighting in the area, leave the water immediately. While exiting, don’t panic and thrash around, this makes you look like prey and avoid the area for at least two days. The shark was probably attracted by the yummy smells of a dead prey item and will spend some time looking for it.
A helpful hint: Shark fins have straight edges and Dolphin fins have curved edges.
Our Responsibility
The bottom line is as surfers, swimmers, and divers, we are the ones entering the shark's home. Despite sharks being faster swimmers and having bigger teeth, we are the ones with bigger brains. They don't know what we are, and the best way to minimize encounters is to follow the tips to stay safe.
Furthermore, if sharks knew how dangerous humans were, they’d be swimming away as fast as they can. We kill approximately 100 – 270 million sharks every year... even with the most conservative estimates, this is about 274,000 sharks killed a day. As stewards of the sea, our responsibility is to educate ourselves about these incredible creatures and do our best to understand how they work and their importance to the ocean ecosystem.
The Importance Of Shark Conservation | Fin Frenzy
Shark Repellent Technology?
For our and the shark's safety, companies are tackling the solution to shark encounters with shark repellent technologies. From magnets to electric waves, these are the latest shark deterrents on the market.
Shark Banz, Magnet Shark Bracelet
A small compact shark band, perfect for surfers
Shark Off, Magnet Shark Repellent Bracelet for the Family
Another magnetic bracelet that’s fit for family fun.
Ocean Guardian, Shark Shield 7
Electric shark repellent.
Did this shark guide make you want to hit the waves? Before you do remember to check out the Jamie O’Brien Surf App here for anytime, anywhere surf coaching.
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