Would You Continue Surfing After a Shark Attack?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the reactions and opinions regarding a surfer who continued to surf after fighting off a shark attack. Participants explore themes of fear, risk, and the nature of shark behavior, as well as personal experiences and hypothetical scenarios related to shark encounters.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for the surfer's bravery, questioning if they would have the same resolve to return to surfing after such an incident.
  • Others argue that the decision to continue surfing is reckless, given the potential danger of sharks, which are described as territorial hunters.
  • There is a discussion about the size and behavior of sharks, with some noting that great whites can be aggressive and that their attacks may not always be predatory.
  • Participants share anecdotes and observations about shark behavior, including the idea that sharks may not see humans as their primary prey.
  • Some participants suggest that other marine animals, like dolphins and orcas, may interact with sharks, but there is uncertainty about the dynamics of these interactions.
  • Humor is introduced with suggestions about painting eyes on surfboards to deter sharks, leading to a light-hearted debate about ecological impacts.
  • Concerns about the safety of swimming in polluted waters, such as the Great Lakes, are raised, contrasting the risks of ocean swimming.
  • There are varying opinions on whether the fear of shark attacks diminishes over time for surfers in areas where such incidents are common.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether it is wise to continue surfing after a shark attack, with multiple competing views on the risks and behaviors of sharks, as well as personal comfort levels with ocean swimming.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect personal experiences and anecdotal evidence rather than established facts about shark behavior or safety in the water. The discussion includes speculative ideas about shark interactions and the ecological implications of proposed deterrents.

  • #31
Holy crap, is that real? :eek:
 
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  • #32
Is that the Golden Gate Bridge? They got seals there and great whites love a good seal. They might hunt for food there some seasons. It looks like a real picture, but who knows?
 
  • #33
Tom Mattson said:
No, this Chicago boy likes the Great Lakes. No salt, and nothing that can eat you.
When I was living 2 miles away from Lake Erie, the stuff in there would eat a Buick.

stoned said:
terrorist shark
It probably thinks that the chopper is a large relative dangling food for it. The similarity in shape is pronounced.
 
  • #34
Danger said:
When I was living 2 miles away from Lake Erie, the stuff in there would eat a Buick.

Wow, like what? Being from Chicago I only went to Lake Michigan. No carnivores there.

Hmmm, maybe I'll just stick to indoor pools...
 
  • #35
Tom Mattson said:
Holy crap, is that real? :eek:

Yes,Tom,it's real.And the other photo on the previous page has a dolphin in it,not a shark.I remember seing it on a "debunking" site,where there were 2 photos,the second one proving it wasn't a shark,but a dolphin.

South Africa is the other famous place for its big sharks.Not necessarily great white,tiger sharks,too.

Daniel.
 
  • #36
Tom Mattson said:
Wow, like what? Being from Chicago I only went to Lake Michigan. No carnivores there.
I guess I should have worded that in a more explanatory manner. It was a reference to the pollution, not anything alive.
 
  • #37
What were those guys trying to do? Fishing for sharks with live human bait? Doesn't seem like a very good career choice to me. I hope the insurance is good.
 
  • #38
Huckleberry said:
What were those guys trying to do?
Remember the 'Bat Shark-Repellant' scene? :smile: This just looks way too much like they were trying to duplicate it.
 
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  • #39
in the first picture it is a dolphin because dolphins love to play like us humans. :smile: i saw once picture of propably dozens of dolphins swimming in a huge hawaiian wave, really cool pic.
 
  • #40
Tom Mattson said:
Holy crap, is that real? :eek:
Nope, it's a popular hoax. See here -> http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/08/0815_020815_photooftheyear.html .
 
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  • #41
Ha ha ha ha ho ho ho he he he he ! :smile:
 
  • #42
stoned said:
in the first picture it is a dolphin because dolphins love to play like us humans. :smile: i saw once picture of propably dozens of dolphins swimming in a huge hawaiian wave, really cool pic.
Yep, it's a dolphin --> http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/surfer.asp . Google is our friend. :-p
 
  • #43
has anyone ever captured on film real shark attack on a human ? I'm kinda into macabre stuff.(can't help it)
 
  • #44
Danger said:
Remember the 'Bat Shark-Repellant' scene? :smile: This just looks way too much like they were trying to duplicate it.

A bat would work just fine for killing a shark, if it were on dry land. Ever try swinging a bat under water? Me neither, and for good reason. It wouldn't work very well. Probably be great exercise though, just before the shark ate you.

That first picture may be a dolphin, but I would have been out of that water too fast to take a second look.
 
  • #45
Huckleberry said:
A bat would work just fine for killing a shark, if it were on dry land. Ever try swinging a bat under water? Me neither, and for good reason. It wouldn't work very well. Probably be great exercise though, just before the shark ate you.
You can't swing a bat underwater; too much drag from the wings. If you outfit one with little bitty SCUBA gear, though, you can use it as an emergency sonar beacon. :approve:

Are you just playing dumb, or did you really never see the first 'Batman' movie? :biggrin:
 
  • #46
Danger said:
Are you just playing dumb, or did you really never see the first 'Batman' movie?

:blushing: I'm drawing a blank on this one. I'm pretty sure I've seen it, but that was ages ago. I don't recall.

What scene are you talking about? Maybe my amnesia is only temporary.
 
  • #47
Huckleberry said:
What scene are you talking about? Maybe my amnesia is only temporary.
Where BM & Robin are on the Bat Ladder dangling from the Bat Copter (on autopilot, of course), with a honkin' huge shark hanging by its teeth from BM's leg. "Quick, Robin—the Bat Shark Repellent!" So Robin hands him a spray can which he blast into the shark's face and it drops away like a burned-out booster stage. Not a mark on his leg, of course. :rolleyes:
 
  • #48
No, don't recall that.

Whoever made those bat suits should market them as surfing gear. Wouldn't that look funny?
 
  • #49
Danger said:
Where BM & Robin are on the Bat Ladder dangling from the Bat Copter (on autopilot, of course), with a honkin' huge shark hanging by its teeth from BM's leg. "Quick, Robin—the Bat Shark Repellent!" So Robin hands him a spray can which he blast into the shark's face and it drops away like a burned-out booster stage. Not a mark on his leg, of course. :rolleyes:


I remember this from reruns :smile: PRICELESS ! :smile:
 
  • #50
stoned said:
check this picture, is that a shark or dolphin in that wave ?? i think it is dolphin.
That's a dolphin - round dorsal fin and lateral flukes (tail fins), not vertical like shark.

In answer to question - yeah, I'd go back in. In fact, I probably wouldn't leave.

I learned to swim in those waters. :biggrin:

I encountered a small (2 ft) shark just of a Texas beach one. Poor little guy was in bad shape. :frown:

Sharks eat other sharks, certainly great whites and tiger sharks do. Otherwise there are no natural predators of sharks, except for man.

As for killer whales, they will attack great whites - see http://edition.cnn.com/EARTH/9710/08/whale.vs.shark/ .

There was a recent clash off San Diego, IIRC. Killer whale got the great white.
 
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