Big Shark Encounter: Van Damn, near Mendocino

Conversation last night:

Friend: “Are you still going out tomorrow?”
Me: “Yeah, why? Last I looked the forecast was looking good!”
Friend: “You hear about the shark?”
Me: “What shark?”
Friend: “At McKerricher the other day, and some other place near there. Surfers. Big one.”
Me: “Ugh. Well, I’m going out of Van Damn. That’s like 15 miles south of there.”
Friend: “Well, be careful!”
Me: “Yeah, sure, of course.”

Today:

My buddy and I launched this morning, and went north around the point. We weren’t that far out and there were a group of three other kayakers further out and we heard some shouting and figured someone had landed something big and about 45 minutes later, after the bite had fallen off, we decided to head out to the deeper water and join them. Then we found out what the shouting was about. Dude said a huge great white had gone under his kayak and then circled around and came up alongside him, giving him the stank eye, before swimming off.

Dude said it was as long as his kayak.

The five of us fished as a flotilla for a while after that but fortunately no other encounters.

Encounters here on the Mendocino coast are pretty rare — first I’ve almost had.

The guy might be a poster here — maybe he’ll chime in with his account.

dang, that would be chilling for sure

Thank you for the report.  GWs look much more active this year compared to other years.
I should start packing my SharkShield when I head to Russian Gulch.

Paul

similar inspection to what happened to me and the coho kid. Better that then eviction from the boat lol!

we heard some shouting and figured someone had landed something big

Did they announce their encounter on the radio?  I realize that you didn't say anything about an announcement on the VHF - just wondering if maybe you found out from them later that they'd announced it.

When these things happen it's important to announce them on the radio, and if you're kayaking offshore it's important to monitor the local channel, IMO.

Just curious - sharks have been encountered (well, chewed the bow of a kayak) in Shelter Cove if I’m not mistaken. So any reason they wouldn’t be anywhere south from there?

Just curious - sharks have been encountered (well, chewed the bow of a kayak) in Shelter Cove if I’m not mistaken. So any reason they wouldn’t be anywhere south from there?

After reading reports all up and down the coast, and fishing and diving for about 40 yrs. I can't think of any spot that hasn't had a sighting or encounter. I used to dive Van Damme frequently and felt relatively safe, until a reliable scuba diver had a big one do a driveby. That was in the early 2000s.

Did they announce their encounter on the radio?  I realize that you didn't say anything about an announcement on the VHF - just wondering if maybe you found out from them later that they'd announced it.

When these things happen it's important to announce them on the radio, and if you're kayaking offshore it's important to monitor the local channel, IMO.

No idea. What's the local channel on the Mendocino Coast? Anyone know? I know I had it on 69 that day but never heard anything.

Did they announce their encounter on the radio?  I realize that you didn't say anything about an announcement on the VHF - just wondering if maybe you found out from them later that they'd announced it.

When these things happen it's important to announce them on the radio, and if you're kayaking offshore it's important to monitor the local channel, IMO.

No idea. What's the local channel on the Mendocino Coast? Anyone know? I know I had it on 69 that day but never heard anything.

Around Noyo is 10. Here’s the list:

VHF Radio Channels
9- Bodega
07-Harbors
09-Primary Channel for bridges on the Delta
10-Out of Noyo
11-Santa Cruz/Monterey
13-The Montezuma Lock monitors this channel
19-Half Moon Bay/Coastside in general
67-GG Charter Boats
68-Inside SF Bay and the GG - and The Cove
69-Kayak Anglers
88-San Pablo Bay

68,69, 71, 72, 78 – These are the proper channels to use for vessel to vessel communications
27, 28, & 86 -Stockton Marine operator – upriver from Pittsburg
26, 84, & 87 -San Francisco Marine Operator – downriver/Susuin from Martinez to San Francisco Bay and beyond

Full list
http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=mtvhf

Trinidad's local VHF channel is 78. 

Both Eureka and Shelter Cove are on 68.

It has become very popular for kayakers to be on 69, but I have long maintained that it's a bad idea to be on a different channel than the local fleet.  By avoiding the local channel, people are subjecting themselves to missing talk about the bite, the weather, the sea state, a shark...  Those people are missing it when boaters try to talk to them or are talking about them.

At a big tournament, 69 is a good idea for kayakers, and even then I'll run two radios in order to also monitor the local channel.  Otherwise, I'm always on the local channel.

My $.02

The scan feature is a game changer, I monitor all the local stations and CG on my horizon hx300