first time surfer

[kristy]

Hi... where are the safest shark-free places in the world to learn to surf? It would be awesome to take off somewhere in the world to learn for a month or something but it would have to be in safe waters! Thanks

[eesalou]

well, if you really want no sharks at all, then surf on the great lakes. no sharks, but the surf isn't as good as the ocean

[SingleFin]

Think SA is the worst place shark-wise, but it's still nowhere near as bad as popular perception would have you believe - wherever you are in the world you're shed loads more likely to get killed by traffic walking to the beach, or clobbered by a falling coconut... cheery, huh? So, don't spend too much time worrying - just use your head - don't go out in a sharky area at dusk on your own with a bunch of seals nearby... If it's shark stats you're after, go here: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Sharks/Statistics/GAttack/World.htm and it's got a breakdown of shark attacks for the whole world. Did you know since 1880 or something, there's only been three shark attacks in Britain, and none were fatal....

[Otter]

It's always the new surfers who worry about sharks. I've been surfing since 1968 and I have yet to see any sharks except the 3' sand shark variety and they are harmless. There's rumours and sightings of immature Great Whites off our coast right now, but I am not worried about it. I'm going out to La Jolla Shores tomorrow a.m. I'm going to be more concerned with catching waves than thinking about sharks. There's plenty of seals, dolphins and larger fish in the water right now as well, rays are the biggest worry, it's mating season... Buddy of mine got nailed twice (wonder why twice? hehehe)... last weekend.

[Guest]

There's plenty of seals, dolphins and larger fish in the water right now as well, rays are the biggest worry, it's mating season...

Otter's right... I can't remember the last shark scare I've heard of in orange county. Truthfully speaking, I would be more afraid of stepping on stingrays as well... if you've ever been stung before you KNOW what I mean.

Summer swells are coming, and the water temperatures are increasing, but all I see are dolphins and a couple of nurse/sand sharks. Nothing alarming.

So stop worrying about sharks, and worry about getting pitched into the reef. :P

[purple balloons]

Scotland has pretty consistent surf especially the outer hebrides, there are a few sharks around but mostly just basking sharks and they only eat plankon (despite their enormous mouths!). oh you should also look out for whales....but otherwise it's just fine....

[Tyson]

I surf Ponce Inlet/New Smyrna , Florida and it's said to be the official shark bite capital of the world. However, it's not too much of a problem. Sometimes there are "scares" , but there is hardly ever a death due to sharks. In Florida there are many more deaths per year because of gators or snake bite. Statistically if you didn't get hurt driving to the beach, you shouldn't worry.