Embarrassing problem need advice

[RinkyDink]

I know all the statistics about the likelihood about getting attacked by a shark yada yada yada. I still do things to avoid shark attacks because it's not the probability of a shark attack that concerns me. Here are the things I do to ease my mind.

1. I avoid sharky breaks if I can.
2. I find breaks that have large kelp forests. Kelp helps to glass off the waves and, from what I've read, sharks stay away from it..
3. I'll never own a yellow surfboard (Yum Yum Yellow). My leash cuff had a little yellow safety release part. I cut it off. (I don't care if I'm paranoid. I need the peace of mind.)
4. When I'm in the water, I always come up with some sort of plan. What will I do if I have an encounter? How will I exit without tipping the shark off that I'm panicked? . . . Lately I've been thinking about whether it would be worth taking the time to uncuff a leash if shark were in the area.
5. I've even considered painting the bottom of my board to be more shark repellent. I don't know how effective it would be in deterring sharks, but it would definitely ease my mind.

I'm hoping that somebody will come up with an effective, wearable shark repellent that is environmentally friendly. I've looked at Sharkbanz, but I'm not convinced by the claims the company makes. If they eased my mind, I would wear them though.

As far as getting over a phobia goes, I think you've gotten great advice in this thread. Baby steps. Behaviorism has always struck me as the most effective form of therapy when it comes to overcoming phobias. If somebody feared riding in an elevator, then they'd start working on overcoming the fear by practicing:
1. Entering and exiting the elevator.
2. Riding the elevator one floor.
3. Riding the elevator two floors . . .

[K@L@]

Hi CTNSurfer,

I suggest that you take the time to have a look at the info boards in the parking lot between bigbay and little bay (Blue peter). They have a nice illustration of how the currents flow at bigbay, this might help you understand why you feel like you are getting pulled into the lineup.

There are two main rips/currents that are prominent at bigbay. Both run parallel to the beach and towards the rocky outcrops (left of the life gaurd tower and then to the right after the third staircase). Both then turn and flow out towards the lineup and again turn and push you accross to the middle of the bay. Sort of how you would draw a pair of horns, curling more at the tips and having them touch. Just watch some of the locals find their way into the lineup, they mostly start to the far left.

The surfers that frequent Bigbay tend to be a friendly bunch with a good mixture of skilled and well seasoned surfers and a ton of learners, just say Hi and you'll make some friends in no time. That does help with the comfort levels.

Lastly a happy new year to all of the forum members.

[CTNSurfer]

Thanks guys, really appreciate all the advice and support thus far.

[jaffa1949]

The Post by K@l@ gives a good physical overview of Big Bay great but we need to talk about how panic ( a phobia ) disables reasonable thinking and empowers fear rather than a rational response.
The belief under the phobia needs guided work with someone capable present.
If the little steps program was the answer then CTN would have taken those steps a lot more easily.
So thanks to K@L@ we know that there will be friends that CTN came make contact with, and support can be there, to do the water work
I am contacting a colleague who works in the same cognitive behavioural neurological science, in Cape Town.

After this sort of work the water component will be a step by step realisation in safety and comfort then surfing pleasure .
A personal comment of respect to CTN , mate how amazing, you recovered yourself so much that you have been able to get back in the surf. Shows that you will achieve your result!
I've also sent to you a PM about this, and will give you the contacts .

Cheers Jaffa

[CTNSurfer]

I've also sent to you a PM about this, and will give you the contacts .

Cheers Jaffa

I replied but I see my message sits in my outbox.
How do I send the message

[jaffa1949]

It stays in the outbox until I pick it up. Which I have done!. All good!

[CTNSurfer]

UPDATE!

I just got back from a surf and I paddled to the back line, stayed there and surferd for 1 hour now and never paniced once, granted it was a small day today but I felt confident as it wasnt such a hectic paddle and there were quite a few people in today so I felt if I needed help there was plenty around.

I would not of been able to do this without your guys motivation so far.

Thanks a lot guys.... BABY STEPS!
Hopefully I will be healed soon!

[jaffa1949]

Great all the more powerful as you did it yourself!
You now know and can recognise that what you desire is achievable.

Take a little time to imagine how it will feel next time when you sit a little longer paddle and move more comfortably with the current, looking to the shore in this imagining you can see your comfort zone is larger now!
Now look back at each step you took to go out further recognise them and know you can repeat them each time because they were successful.

Far out , well done!