Question About Marine Life (or dangers)

[Bad Beat Maker]

Hey as you can probably tell by reading my board thread, you can guess that I am new to all of this. Until now my only interests were (outside of family and friends) basketball, soccer, football and poker.

Well that changed recently as I watched some surfing on TV and decided to give it my all and try it, and I don't go do anything half assed. Anyways, before going out there and trying this I want to admit that I am TERRIFIED of sharks. When I was about 15 I saw a documentary on Discovery that showed Daytona Beach from a helicopter view during July/August and you could literally see the shadows of HUGE fish, which one could guess to be sharks, swimming around beach comers and surfers.

Well what do you do to take your mind off of sharks? What do you do when you see one and are not able to distinguish it from a safe shark and a dangerous shark? Also in regards to jellyfish what does one do? I don't know when season comes around for jellyfish or anything like that so if there is a thread to cover these things please let me know!

Always Appreciated,
Fernando

[libby]

Accept that if one wants to eat you, its going to. Nothing you can do to stop it. If you really are that scared then perhaps you chose the wrong sport

[Bad Beat Maker]

lol, didnt expect a response like that, but it will have to do!!! Thanks, as for the jelly fish? Something that can perhaps be avoided?

[Ellie]

Jellyfish wise...I don't think they could sting you thru a wettie and booties etc....

But then you are in Florida, so maybe its warm enough not to wear one all year round!!

[libby]

Sorry, perhaps that came across as a bit blunt

But honestly, physically there is nothing you can do about a shark attack, but i guess mentally you can teach yourself that there is nothing to be afraid of, dont watch documetaries about shark attacks, dont watch jaws, dont trawl for shark deterrants on the internet, dont let yourself obssess about it and do listen to all the usual 'your more likely to be french kissed by a leatherback turtle than get bitten by a shark' type statistics....

As for jellyfish, i'm not sure what time of year they are a proble in Florida but in the UK its late summer/early autumn, typically when the water is warmest. If its cold enough to wear a wetsuit then thats an option, if not then just cover as much of your skin as you can, e.g long boardies and a thermal rash vest. If theres a bad jelly fish bloom then you will either just have to get stung or wait on land for the worst to pass.

Most importantly, just stop thinking about it. The more you think, the worse it will get. The more you surf the better it will get.

[justloafing]

Ha getting tounged by a turtle . When and if you take the sport up. Just always keep an eye out for a fin. Libby is oh so correct about if they want you there is not much you can do about an attack. The good news is and just think about this. Attacks are very rare. Think about the millions of people that swim every year and then think about how many attacks there are. The ratio is staggering. Your just going to have to ask yourself if your going to be petrified of being in the water or are you going to have fun? Keeping an eye out is about the best you can do.

As for the jellies. At least you can see the Man o war. If I saw a bunch of sails on the beach and no one in the water I would take a hint. As for other jellies. Well your in the warm water so your going bareback much of the time and your going to get stung, I am 100% sure about that. Most stings stop hurting in 30 minutes or less unless it is a box jelly or similar. If I am going to the beach I bring along vinegar to pour on a bad sting.

[Laguna]

Take a look at this thread
https://surfing-waves.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8470

[miamisurfer]

The man-o-wars are just starting to come in one the east coast of Florida. I'm not sure about the gulf coast. Just watch out for the huge ones, you don't want to get stung by one of those.

[surfdaisy06]

Im not so scared of sharks, but more of jellyfish

[dougirwin13]

Stop worrying.

They aren't interested in you.
If you understand just how many sharks there are in the water.
And then look at the number of attacks worldwide per year.
Four fatalities documented in the last twelve months.
You'll realise that virtually ever attack is a case of mistaken identity.
More people die from being attacked by domesticated pigs on farms (typically sows with piglets).
Are you terrified of visiting a farm?
Didn't think so.
We need to put things in perspective.

-doug

[surfdaisy06]

How to aviod sharks

1. Stay away from river mouths aftr heavy rain as sediment and drowned animals are washed down stream into the ocean. Bull sharks can survive in fresh water and could mistake you for a seal or big fish.

2. Ask locals about the area, so you know the dangers and can prevent yourslef from any other dangers

3.Don't surf alone, if attacked, your friend could save your life

4.Watch out for any cuts you pick up whilst surfing, you may not know its bleeding, but the shark will

5.Dawn and dusk are the sharks prefered feeding times. Kepp cautioned duing these times.

6.If your cold find another way to warm up your wetsuit other than peeing in it as urine is compared to that of a seals, its like sending a homing beacon out to the sharks nose.

7. If the worst happens and you do get attacked, another option is to punch the animal on the nose as this is one of their highly sensitive areas.

(that was from carve mag)

Hope that helped

[Bad Beat Maker]

Thanks man, awesome.

[Stone Fox]

I thought pee repeled sharks?

[justloafing]

I thought pee repeled sharks?

I don't know but that is why I buy new wetsuites not used ones.