Surfs up!!

[jyasaki]

I heard (not off the net, but not exactly first-hand, either) that a research group to the Farallons had an inflatable experience, er, unexpected deflation, as a result of a white shark.

This would be somewhere around six or seven years ago, and the sharks were being drawn to the vessels for viewing (at that time, chumming was probably still legal within the Gulf of the Farallons Marine Sanctuary. It isn't anymore. And using towed surfboards will be banned soon.)

Apparently, the shark was doing a good bit of exploration, mouthing everything it could get its teeth on: motors, poles, surfboards, etc. and ended up grazing a tube with its mouth agape. The inflatable (or ex-inflatable, I suppose) beat feet for the mother ship, off loaded passengers (researchers, I think), and was hoisted out of the water.

Only time I've personally heard of this happening.

I *think* there may have been something along the same lines written up in "The Devil's Teeth", a book about research (sort of) at the Farallons. Pretty poor excuse for a book, however; moreso since I know the real story behind the authors experiences.

jky

[Stoo]

Originally Posted by Donnie144

But damn I liked it and I don't have sharks up here any how.

Just 'cause you can't see 'em, doesn't mean they aren't there!

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by limeydal

Codders,
must admit I am spoilt now by our mild winters However my crazy welsh wife misses the old place.In fact she is leaving here next week for a month with her parents ,just outside cardiff.
She must be nuts! (Actually it's just that it's a lot cheaper to fly this time of year)
Now what can I get her (in RIB accesories ) , to bring back , that I cant get over here?? A welsh flag on Bayshots might be a nice change
cheers Dal
PS they are mostly very laid back sharks over here and any problems are usually further North. We have huge schools of leopard sharks in the late summer, which are a site to see,but again "usually"harmless.

A Welsh flag would be awesome - along with a skull and crossbones - most of the top pirates were Welsh anyway!!!

[limeydal]

OK Dragon it is Got to get a fair size one though(as Chris says, need it sail size)
Hate piddly sized pennant flags.If you are going to fly something,may as well enjoy it
cheers dal.

[Donnie144]

Originally Posted by Stoo

Just 'cause you can't see 'em, doesn't mean they aren't there!

Hey know I rather like living in my peaceful state of ignorance no point in ruining it now!

The biggest shark we have running up here commonly is the six gill and she only gets up to 12’ I’m told. They are also DEEP except during the summer when they will venture above a 100’. I’ve also never heard of one attacking a diver who wasn’t harassing it.

[jyasaki]

15' according to the Seattle Aquarium.

http://www.seattleaquarium.org/conservation/sharks/

almost 16' according to the Love Lab (which is a good site to check out if you like being amused. Milton Love is a pretty wacky character, in addition to being very a highly regarded biologist.)

http://www.lovelab.id.ucsb.edu/Checklist.pdf

jky

[limeydal]

We get them bigger than that all the time
(Ok, I know I have posted this before, but couldn't resist )