Great White Sharks and Yum Yum Yellow

It is funny that people spout the 1 in 3.7 million number.  It doesn't account for exposure and is just based on total population of the US.  Surfer Magazine did a look at the odds for a surfer -


U.S. surfing pop. (2,000,000) / annual shark attack fatalities in the U.S. (1) / American Life Expectancy (78).  This new equation sets the lifetime odds of surfer in the U.S. being the victim of a fatal shark attack  at 1 in 25,641.  

Kayakers aren't as tasty looking as surfers but we are dragging around dead fish.

Sand

It is funny that people spout the 1 in 3.7 million number.  It doesn't account for exposure and is just based on total population of the US.  Surfer Magazine did a look at the odds for a surfer -


U.S. surfing pop. (2,000,000) / annual shark attack fatalities in the U.S. (1) / American Life Expectancy (78).  This new equation sets the lifetime odds of surfer in the U.S. being the victim of a fatal shark attack  at 1 in 25,641.  

Kayakers aren't as tasty looking as surfers but we are dragging around dead fish.

Sand

Does surfer magazine expect newborns to hang ten on day one on this planet?

I think the title "Surfer Magazine" indicates the rigor of the methodology.  But it is a much better number than the usual "more likely to die by a meteor strike" comparison. 

I don't have exact statistics, 
But, 15 years of average trips to the Salt (3-6) with no encounter from the landlord. 
6 years of abundant salt excursions (60-70) brought 3 encounters. 
From personal experience, I can say the more you go the more you will see.
As for that "Yum Yum yellow" theory is Bullshit.
My yak at the time was Blue. 
Just remember, you will die of something.
Better to be doing what you enjoy rather then sitting on the shitter!
;0)

I don't have exact statistics, 
But, 15 years of average trips to the Salt (3-6) with no encounter from the landlord. 
6 years of abundant salt excursions (60-70) brought 3 encounters. 
From personal experience, I can say the more you go the more you will see.
As for that "Yum Yum yellow" theory is Bullshit.
My yak at the time was Blue. 
Just remember, you will die of something.
Better to be doing what you enjoy rather then sitting on the shitter!
;0)

Boom!  Just fish!   

Been approached by a great white in shark prk in SC county right before sunset. Was working just outside the shore break for halibut in only 10-15’ of water. Bushy and a few other shore anglers witnessed the shark come out of the water and and splash me. It didn’t return to finish me off after breaching the water within an arms reach. I believe it displayed aggressive behavior since I too close without realizing, or it made a mistake.
I’ve also been in some near car accidents with other drivers. Unpredictable scenarios won’t stop me from stepping out my front door, neither should it stop anyone else. Like other say, if you go out-you’re going to see em. you get in a car, you’ll encounter a few wild drivers. There’s dangers all around us.
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!

I'll take my chances with Heart Disease ...

At least there is some buxom young nurse wiping the sweat off'n your brow while you ease into the Sweet Bye n' Bye.

... instead of soiling yourself as you watch the bow of your craft and its NCKA sticker become floss for something with incisors  the size of Rhode Island.

nice fantasy you created out of heart disease.  I don't wish that disease on anyone.  I've lost a father and a brother to that disease.

as far as sharks go, anytime you are out on the ocean there is a world of life under you that you will only catch a glimpse of.  Sharks are always around.  and fish and whales and dolphins and rays and.....  At least you don't have to worry too much about random people while you are on the water.   as many have pointed out, you are safer on the water than you are on land. 

I had one swim under me in 2019 and I will agree with the video... these things are as wide as a VW bus. Absolutely massive creatures. I went out the next weekend. No sense in living life life in fear. The shark factor is what makes the kayak fishing that much more of an adventure. Everyone is going to die. If you leave this world getting mauled by a pre-historic apex predator then I'd say that is going out with a bang! 

Better to be doing what you enjoy rather then sitting on the shitter!

"Doing what you enjoy" and "sitting on the shitter" are not necessarily mutually exclusive...

As a life long surfer I've always said I'm more worried about driving to the beach than sharks.

If you double the probability from the Surfer Mag study based on the assumption that most surfers actively surf for half their life (maybe an underestimate, sure hope it is for me), you are still at 1 in 12,000 or so.

According the National Safety Council (per a quick google), lifetime chances of dying in a car crash are 1 in 608.  Making driving on the order of 20 times more dangerous than surfer-eating sharks.

And kayakers are much safer than surfers. 

And both activities lower that chance of heart disease!  Who knows by how much, but it would only need to be by 0.06% (1/12000 is 0.05% of 1/6) for a net gain in regards to probability of dying.

So yeah, get in the water!  It's good for you.

If you leave this world getting mauled by a pre-historic apex predator then I'd say that is going out with a bang! 

This!  Am I the only one envious of all of these GWS encounters?  Well, no, my wife also is... but are we the only envious ones?! 

Am I the only one envious of all of these GWS encounters?  Well, no, my wife also is... but are we the only envious ones?!

How big a life insurance policy did she take out on you? May want to check ...

If you leave this world getting mauled by a pre-historic apex predator then I'd say that is going out with a bang! 

This!  Am I the only one envious of all of these GWS encounters?  Well, no, my wife also is... but are we the only envious ones?! 

I grew up in west TX and watched funnel clouds pop down and go back up from my grandmas porch when I was a kid.  It was so cool and I was always envious of tornado chasers and the incredible sight of a tornado up close and personal.  One day, a funnel cloud appeared exactly overhead and I about pissed myself.  They ceased to be cool.  Ive never experienced an earthquake in 10 years living in the bay area - thinking that experience may be kind of the same.  Seems cool, but probably isnt.  Im also thinking GWS encounters are kind of the same.  Cool from a distance, ceases to be cool once your kayak becomes a chew toy. 

If you leave this world getting mauled by a pre-historic apex predator then I'd say that is going out with a bang! 

This!  Am I the only one envious of all of these GWS encounters?  Well, no, my wife also is... but are we the only envious ones?! 

Every time I leave the house to go fishing in the ocean, my wife asks me if my life insurance is paid up.  I say yes, and she says Have Fun!

GWS threads are quite interesting