Shark attack at Bean Hollow - 7/21/07

Sal - determining the safety of a situation is the logical conclusion in everything we do in life. At least I hope it is. You need to access whether the situation you are placing yourself in is safe, or too risky to your well being. Hopefully you wouldn't ride in a vehicle when the driver is intoxicated, because it is too risky. The same would apply to paddling some where that is too risky for you, whether you are a novice or veteran paddler.

After giving it a lot of thought, I kept coming back to: Whose responsibility is it for my safety while paddling with a group of people? The answer I arrived at was: It is mine. I should not expect anyone to know what my paddling capabilities are; how far I am comfortable paddling; whether I am able to swim, paddle in gusty wind, or to roll. Nor should I assume that the other people I am paddling with have good judgment in making vital decisions, just because they have paddled longer than me.

Granted there are times when things happen beyond your control, like what happened to Dan.   At unforeseen times like these, you can only hope people will come to your aid, but again you shouldn't count on that people will step up to the plate.  

I think that's what Frankfishing was trying to point out, which I am in complete agree with him, in regards to some, (not all), novice paddlers may get a false sense of security paddling with veterans, or with other people for that matter.  It has been my experience that the majority of the novice paddlers I have paddled with, have assumed that the veteran paddlers,  will bail them out if they encounter difficultly.  

The problem with that mind set, is they may not take into consideration, that the veteran paddler may encounter difficulty, and they may not be able to assist them, because they are too busy trying to save themselves or someone else. What would happen if you become separated from everyone? What would you do if you are 2 miles out from shore, and a shark put a hole in your kayak?  What would you do if you did get attacked by a shark, and knocked over board, and your paddle went one direction and your kayak another?   These are the kinds of things to think about beforehand so you have a backup plan, IF the situation should ever arise.

In others words, would you drive a car on the freeway, if you didn't know how to operate the car?  Hopefully not.  The same applies to knowing how to operate a kayak efficiently, because your life if dependent on it.  The more precautions you take, and classes, and experience you have, the greater your odds will be to survive.  Your survival is not someone else's responsibility, and to think that it is, is a bad assumption on anyone's part, in my opinion.

I have repeatedly seen novice paddlers join  my paddling outings,  regardless of the stipulations I made, in regards to knowing how to operate your boat; how  to reenter  in the event you capsize; how to roll; or how to wet exit your boat.  When people disregard my stipulations, it puts them and everyone else at risk  if they  don't know how to operate their kayak.

Franks point, and mine, is to be as prepared as possible at all times, because your chances of survival increase immensely when you are prepared, and to remember at all times your safety is entirely up to you and the decisions (or lack of them) you make. This applies to anything you do in life and the decisions you make.

I don't believe Frankfishing, nor am I, saying that you did anything wrong.  I think he was referring to an error in judgment in a lot of paddlers, that think you are safer paddling with a group of people. I actually feel safer paddling by myself, because I know what my limitations are, whereas I don't know that about someone else, which has frequently placed me at harms way, when I paddle with a group of people, especially when an abundant of people stretched the truth about their paddling experience, so they could participate.

This has been my experience, you don't have to agree with my opinion, and if you don't please voice your view point in a respectful way.

17 guys paddling around in your backyard.  I think you would go out and check what is happening.  There is probably a scent of blood in the water.  Red=Blood.

But, then again.  Why are there so many lures and jig colors.  And, why do some work better on some days than others.  Even, depends on which lake or ocean you are fishing on.  If it was that natural colors always work (baitfish colors).  Then we could get away with probably having about 5 to 6 colors.

I think the study of colors and sharks attacks were done to help the guys who were in the water during the the war.  Had nothing to do with kayaks.

Ken kickfish

look, humans own the earth, for better or worse. we choose to let the GWS live, it's not like we couldn't basically hunt them to extinction if we wanted.
They are cool, but they are a real life sea monster. no bones about it.
point needs to be made.
J

What a lame thing to say.. 

Z

well, it's not politically correct, or sociologically fashionable to say things like this. and it might even be lame.
but it's true,  .

remember, I pretty much predicted the attack. I publicly bet Bill lunch it would happen. (thank goodness
Dan is okay!).

I say stuff that people don't like sometimes, but I'm right a lot.

So listen to me now but hear me later Z,  .

J

And as for yum yum yellow... I'm convinced that it got that name because it has historically been the most prevalent color in sit-on-top kayaks, hence the highest probability of being hit.  That is changing now with the variety on the market.   

As for the marks on the boat... I have no doubt in my mind that this was an exploratory bite, similar to the majority of surf board bites and most other kayak hits.  If this thing was really bent on making a kill shot, it would have completely mangled the front of that boat. 

EK

I agree with this one. But I'm curious to hear from Dan how hard he got ejected. Like I said that BASK woman that got hit in the little ocean kayak boat (frenzy?) was ejected hard and the boat basically sank according to the accounts.

this time around the shark seems to have taste tested the boat. "hmmm. has flippers, and is big and red, but tastes like, well... PLASTIC".

The reason to bicker on a philosophical level is because there is the immediate question of what happened and the longer term question of what if anything could or should be done about it.

but it's true

For the moment...

Ok guys let's keep it on topic. I feel heavy moderator sickness coming on. Take the "Humans rule the world vs we are pawns in mother natures game" to the political forum.

Wow, I am glad to hear Dan is okay and everything worked out well. That is definitely one hell of a story.

I think it is bound to happen now and again as the sharks and their main food supply are both protected, so with increasing populations of seals and sea lions there should also be an increase in GW specifically and shark in general populations. Still though when I think about the shear number of people in the water on the coast of California on Saturday July 21, 2007 I think it really is amazing that these attacks/sightings and mouthings don't occur much more frequently. It makes me think that these animals are a fair bit more intelligent that most of us believe that they are. Fact is if there really was a "jaws" like great white out there hunting people more people would simply die or disappear. Thinking about it most of us have seen the video of the GW jumping completely out of the water, these are massively powerful animals. I am actually surprised at the minimal damage inflicted on the kayak and the complete lack of interest in the splashing that would have gone on during both re-entries.

Jeff

I'll put in my 2 cents worth. I wasn't there when the incident happened, and only learned of it after landing.
From the looks of the kayak, I suspect the shark was curious more than anything. The typical attack of a feeding-leaning GW would be the massive mid body bite at full speed. I didn't here how hard the shark hit the boat, and that would make the decision between feeding-oriented and investigative munching for me.
I don't think kayak color has any real weight with sharks. They hit what's there, if they want to.
Sharks are there off Bean, they are in the SF bay, they are in santa cruz, they are anywhere there is saltwater. Know that & think on it often and understand it. I don't say this to be macho, far from it. Carlos Eyeles addresses this in his great book "last of the blue water hunters". It is simply part of my lifestyle.
Dan and SAL and the other few paddlers nearest the incident are to be commended for their response and willingness to help out. You guys deserve massive props.
Bean is not a solo-type of place. I have been paddling for almost 20 years, guided multiple day trips in AK, and taught into paddling classes through UCSF, California Canoe & Kayak (Oaktown & HMB), and Kayak connection in Santa Cruz. Still, i was a little anxious paddling in a new place, and one with a reputaion to boot. I stayed within visual range of several paddlers at all times, and had my radio on me, and my GPS on. I stayed comfortable and had a fantastic time. In fact I was amped, and "totally dug the scene" to use a little SC vernacular.
Would I fish Bean again? Hell yes, just not alone, and I would probably stay grouped tighter than I did Saturday.
-Sean
PS: I know this has been beat, but please, we are paddlers first and fisherfolk second. Most folks already know how to fish and are new to the paddling thing. Please take a solid intro-to-kayaking class that teaches several on-water rescues and sets you up with the proper clothing and suggested equipment for the prevailing conditions and the not-so-prevailing conditions you might encounter. Dress for immersion. Pay attention to those around you, and never be afraid to bug out if you are uncomfortable. I would surely rather help concerned paddler in to shore than read about them later getting in trouble. Learn from Eric B's post-he covers a lot right there.
ok, off the box now.
Sean

after the call came through,we did not believe it. We acted tuff and made comments to each other about if "he caught it". Then something BIG surfaced right behind Mooch and scared the $#IT of of him/us.....
mooch? it could have been it! we were straight down the rocks,sitting in the 30' shelf just off the rocky shelf, about a 5 min. swim for a big fish.Your buddy was just guessing it was a seal.

I get my first LING and Dan steals all the GLORY!!  WTF?!

here's a pic of the hole in the "V" of the hule.......like a hot knife thru butta'

Just in time for the 20th anniversary of "Shark Week".  July 29- Aug 4th...

Interestingly enough.. the main event of this years Shark Week on the Discovery Channel is a movie called "Ocean of Fear" and is about the USS Indianapolis during WWII.  It sunk quickly after being torpedoed, but most of the crew actually died a day or so later in the largest recorded shark attack in history.  Later, researchers trying to figure out what happened called the yellow life jackets everyone wore "yum yum yellow" as noted in Thomas B. Allen's "The Shark Almanac".

Brian

couldn’t agree with you and with everyone on the importance of prerequisites and safety (dressed appropriately, right gears, fishing buddies, self rescue and other training, etc) and NCKA website has done a great job in many of these areas, especially in helping me rigged my kayak.
 However it does not stress so much on the safety issues for beginners (or at least I have not seen any articles on them).  I and most of everyone know common sense tells one to get trained/prepared as much as possible so not to put oneself and others at risk.  The truth is not many beginners are taking this seriously until it becomes a reality.  I am one of them and am guilty for thinking that I don’t really need it since I consider myself a strong swimmer (high school varsity swim team). SAL

 Sal, If anyone owes an apology it is me. I used your wording for their shock value and must admit to get a rise. So Sal anytime I'll saddle up with you on the water.
 I think that your poignant message needs more attention. Safety is an issue and if you rely on others for your safety well, "done deal". Life has a way of presenting itself on it's terms not mine. I dig the fact that you have skills in swimming which are always a benefit, please guys my past is exactly that. When the present shows up in unexpected ways the gift inside may not be to my liking. So expect the unexpected especially when it comes to Mother Nature. Preparation is the key to any survival situation and can make the deference.
It is not that I disown any Newbie on this board but I do not read minds. Besides my learning curve is keeping me in the Newbie frame of mind. Personally when I have all the answers that's when I getmyself in trouble.
This board is a great place to learn about the hype,prep and even some safety however, no responsibility lies with NCKA for your education with Kayaking. That my friends is on me, the individual.
Again Sal let's do this soon sometime. Love this sport Frankfishing

Skygreen,

Many good points well made on about preparation, adequate training, decision making and on false sense of security that many beginner kayakers have.  Let’s just hope our fellow kayakers would be willing (perhaps more willing that you stated) to assist otherwise it beats the purpose of the buddy system.  Points well taken on everyone’s responsibility to get prepared/trained so not to put oneself and others in harms way.  Just surprise that an assumption was quickly made that fingers were pointing and I somehow expected the veteran kayakers to come and save the day with the mention that no veterans were around at the incident.   Not my intention at all.  It’s probably Frank’s way of showing tough love that every newbie kayakers should have some survival rescue training prior to being in the open water, especially at BH?  Totally agreed that most should seek the training.

SAL

Scary!

Some kibitizing from Hawaii. Maybe sharing info will help all.

Lot's of guys here use the Aussie shark shield. Particularly with a fish on and during bleeding/stash away phase.
See:

http://www.sharkshield.com/Content/Home/

Several of us have tried various pattern blackstripes on the bottom also. Problem is paint comes off due to launch scrapes, etc.

We have tigers more than GWS. Tigers will check you out. Scary thing reported twice by one of our more experienced guys is they seem to know which way your facing and come up behind you. I have had this experience with small ones.

Reggie reports the fin sounds like sandpaper going through the water. Recommendation. When fishing in pairs even some distance apart, at regular intervals check the other guys rear view plane which he/she can't see. Come up with a short sentence warning code , maybe like "Fin to your rear"

I used to dive for abs in the cove just north of Rocky Point Inn almost 50 years ago. So I know how cold that water can be. The poster that told the wind story is right on. You'll never catch your yak when it blows away, and you don't want to stay in that water. I use a surf leash so my yak is always with me. You can disconnect it when landing or launching, but I would sure would wear one.

I've huli (capsized) several times out here, in high winds and remote spots. If you can't flip it over with all your gear hanging down by various leashes and get back in quickly you really should not be out there. Your really responsible for yourself.

Not sure if you could say it saved him, but looks like Dan was at least out of the GWS jaws getting back in his Adventure? Way to go.

 I use an Adventure. I had a red one, and never experienced anything other than small ones looking me over. So I don't think it's the fins. My buddy has a yellowProwler 13. He's been looked at so many times he uses the Aussie Shield and painted stripes.

I'm getting a yellow hull replacement. Will see what the color effect is. I don't think it will make too much difference since I'm inclined to agree with the territorial arguments.

Look fwd to any more details of this attack.

Cool post on the sharkshield!  $AUS700 is a lot of money for the amount of time I spend on the water so I'd probably pass.  For someone who is on the water as much as Mooch (or in the water as much as Frank  ) it might make sense...

PSpark was working on a ghetto version of the shark shield at one time.