My GWS Encounter @ Capitola 7/7/12 - updated 7/13

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Everyone!  Let's do what we can to keep the Media off of Mel and his family. Many of us have known Mel  for a while and have personal info that the Media doesn't need. This is a public forum. Online or off let's be careful.

Yes indeed, the Media pulled a quote from Mel's NCKA report with his name attached to it. The Reports are to share with our Brothers - On The Water - to improve their safety. Let's not stray from that

 

One more thing, imagine how much more water you would have taken in if you had the T13 with it's thin plastic instead of the Revo.

Jedmo

As far the comment about the "thin plastic of the Trident 13" Well, I was there the day Dan's red Hobie was hit and it had hole(s) in it and it was full of water when he hit the shore. So please don't get the false impression that Hobies are better kayaks for shark attacks.

Wow. I've never personally met anyone on here but now I Really hope to go out with you guys. No more solo trips!  Glad you're ok mel and that the landlord didn't collect.

Oh man I saw this on the news a couple hours ago. Glad ur ok! I was planning a trip to Capitola but being new to Yak Fishing, I'm def going to go with folks..thats crazy. I love Capitola too. Can't believe it happend in 40 ft of water. But yea glad your ok!

The attack on Harry last year at Pigeon Point was in 20 FOW. Sharks at the Farallon Islands have been known to chase seal very close to shore.

I just saw it on CNN

Damn I was so close to being out there with you guys. Just running a little late on Saturday not getting down till 7:30 and decided too foggy for me to go alone so went to the beach and played with the family. Guess I realize now why no one called to hit this on Sunday.  Glad everyone is ok.
Later
Jimbo

So glad that everyone came out okay, but sorry about your new revo...
I absolutely love your attitude, Chad!!!

Naoaki


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wow!  Mel, thanks for sharing your harrowing experience.   And thanks for the NCKA brothers and PBers who were there to help.    It is a terrible thing to happen, but there is no better crew to have around when this kind of thing happens, as it inevitably will. 

Leaves much to ponder.    Last attacks were San Mateo coast, and there was a sense attacks were mainly in the fall.   Looks like landlord is expanding his territory and hunting out of season.   A friend told me a GWS was seen cruising 50 yards off La Jolla beach last week.    Seems they are getting much more active.   the only consistent thread seems to be a preference for hobies, which is a bummer, since i just got a yellow hobie. 
Disturbing.    I guess there isnt much one can do to narrow risk factors other than to never kayak alone, and always stay pretty close.   

Glad and thankful everyone was OK. 

 

  There went my hopes of launching out of SC!  My wife saw our local news about the attack, and told me about it (I hadn't seen the report yet) she told me "To not be in such a hurry to fish out there NOW! I didn't mention to her that this was the 3rd or 4th attack this year out there. (Didn't need to throw any more gas on that fire)

  I'm really glad no injuries (Other than maybe some shorts) happened.

Glad your are ok Mel, even though I have not fished with anyone off the site yet, but it sounds like everyone here watches each others back while out together and I cant wait to fish with you all. Being new to kayaking, this makes me freaked out about taking my first trip out to the big blue one day. But I do know one thing I will not make that trip alone. Again glad nothing bad happened to you other than a damaged yak could have been much worse.

Scary stuff them damn sharks, and I always considered Santa Cruz one of the safer spots to fish. Glad this story had a happy ending.

One more thing, imagine how much more water you would have taken in if you had the T13 with it's thin plastic instead of the Revo.

Jedmo

As far the comment about the "thin plastic of the Trident 13" Well, I was there the day Dan's red Hobie was hit and it had hole(s) in it and it was full of water when he hit the shore. So please don't get the false impression that Hobies are better kayaks for shark attacks.

im sure if the walls of a yak is thick enough to withstand a gws bite you wouldnt want to lift or paddle/peddle it.i seen a gws pop the floats on a huge zodiac on sharkweek.if it wants it bad enough its gonna take it