Surfing Waves

Im pretty new to surfing so I have very little experience with surf travel. Also here in England we don't really have anything to worry about so maybe the stuff in other countries gets exagerated. Obviously ive heard loads of good stuff about Aus, but have also heard about sharks, jellys, stonefish, etc. I was just wondering where the safest place would be (in the water) for me to surf. Or is it ok in most places? Any info would be great. Im probably just being a wimp but......

Sharks, crocodiles, snakes, jellyfish, blue-ringed octopus, bra boys...

Up north you're dealing with masses of stingers and crocodiles
Down south you've got sharks.

In the middle, no crocs, stingers in summer, sharks here and there. But in the year that Ive been here, Ive not seen a shark, not been stung by a jellyfish, and not been stupid enough to pick up any blue ringed octopus.

80 people a year in australia drown in the sea, and on average one gets taken by a shark. So no need to worry too much about anything other than the usual dangers of surfing.

dacosta,
these elements are simply part of surfing. I surf in northern California (i.e., Red Triangle). Recently suggested a Santa Cruz buddy come up to surf a one of the places I go to a lot. He hestiated and asked, "Isn't that sharkey?" Without a blink, I said, "Yeah." He has never joined me and I have never stopped surfing my NorCal breaks.
Billie

Anywhere you surf in Australia you're at risk of being eaten or stung by something. It's just a way of life here. But statistically you should be fine. If the waves are good and nobody else is out on the water there's probably a reason...a big hungry reason hahah

Manly and Bondi are the more safer spots in Sydney if you are coming down here, because these 2 beaches are the most famous and well patrolled, especially Bondi. Other beaches would get better waves, but you got a lot of reefs and more shark sightings. You'll get stunning by blue bottles, but it's a common thing here if you going to the beach, if you dont want to get stunned, just dont go out surf on a day with a lot of blue bottles in the water...

crepuscular wrote:Manly and Bondi are the more safer spots in Sydney

Safest from the point of view of sharks etc maybe, but two of the more dangerous spots when it comes to getting hit by somebody else's board

drowningbitbybit wrote:Safest from the point of view of sharks etc maybe, but two of the more dangerous spots when it comes to getting hit by somebody else's board

true...

I had a gash across my ribs when a guy decided to let go his board when a wave crashing in front of me, the fins cut through my wetsuit and I was bleed... the guy didnt even say sorry and just paddle out... such a bm

crepuscular wrote:Manly and Bondi are the more safer spots in Sydney if you are coming down here, because these 2 beaches are the most famous and well patrolled, especially Bondi. Other beaches would get better waves, but you got a lot of reefs and more shark sightings. You'll get stunning by blue bottles, but it's a common thing here if you going to the beach, if you dont want to get stunned, just dont go out surf on a day with a lot of blue bottles in the water...

What do you call a blue bottle mate? in uk its a harmless fly!

TheRedDarren wrote:What do you call a blue bottle mate? in uk its a harmless fly!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugese_Man_O%27War

You can get stung heaps on the East Coast during the summer onshores here. Some people have bad reactions to them, I'm lucky they just sting me.

What's strange is that they haven't really been around this year. Usually you get days in the year were there's a plauge of these guys out there and it's almost 100% that you'll get stung.

ah the old man o' war eh? learn summat new every day!

Go and surf anywhere on the Northern Beaches , just make sure if your beginner to go with someone. Maybe get some one on one lessons from a local .