Practice for Worlds - Santa Cruz Style

surfhorn · Post by **surfhorn** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 2:45 pm

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- A surfer off the coast of Half Moon Bay narrowly escaped a bite by a great white shark this week -- the third attack involving a shark off the California coast in last two weeks.

Experts said the attacks are interesting because at this time last year there had been six such attacks, but until two weeks ago there had been none this year.

Surfer Tim West narrowly escaped injury in Wednesday's attack in the Maverick's area. He said the shark came up from directly beneath him and knocked him about 2 feet into the air. West was left with a shark tooth in his surf board.

"I just grabbed my surf board with my leash -- 15 feet of leash -- grabbed it and sprinted toward the beach as fast as I could because I was thinking it was going to get me. Luckily, I'm here to say it didn't," West said.

Experts said they're surprised there have not been more shark attacks because great whites are usually close to shore this time of year searching for food -- most likely sea lions, not surfers.

"Surfers should be aware they shouldn't surf in those areas where there's a history of shark attacks. Mavericks has had a shark attack in 2000 and a shark attack yesterday and the San Mateo Coast has had 11 shark attacks," said John McCosker, Chair Aquatic Biologist at the Central Academy of Sciences.

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Images: Half Moon Bay Attack
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Surfers know the risk, but say their love for the sport far outweighs the threat of a shark bite.

"Definitely, there's always a risk when you're surfing at Half Moon Bay, so I advise most surfers not to surf those waters because they're so sharky," surfer Chris Loeswick said.

"It makes you think twice, but it's going to happen -- it's shark season," surfer Libby Grestin said.

Meanwhile, West said wants to find out how large the shark is that attacked him, so he plans to turn over the tooth embedded in his board to the Santa Cruz-based Pelagic Shark Research Foundation

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:41 pm

Maby thats what I need

Did he land the air? I am still working on the take off. DID YOU SAY SHARK???? OH MABY NOT SO MUCH

I was thinking of going to the worlds. With water patrol like that I may stay home.

KAVA · Post by **KAVA** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:53 pm

pleanty of room in the bleachers where i will be participating

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:37 pm

Trying to figure a way to get work to pay for the trip

The draw back is I nay be expected to work

To take vacation time and go well the wife is not excited about a week in S C in the winter.

surfhorn · Post by **surfhorn** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 7:27 am

Gumby- this area of California has a habit of throwing us some gorgeous weather right in the middle fo winter. 70-80F days and cools nights for a week or two stretch and nonstop waves. Water temp is still cool but oh, so nice.

My wife and I used to always block out the thrid week of every Jan so we would be free to hang at the beach. Nice respite in the middle of the rainy season.

We have a killer wine growing area with many tasting opportunities and you can shop like crazy, if thats your wives thing. San Francisco is only about 75 miles north and a great place for a day trip or two.

And the Sierra are only 4 hours away if you like to ski/snowboard

kage · Post by **kage** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 8:08 am

Trying to figure a way to get work to pay for the trip

look on the bright side, you may not need a return ticket.

KAVA · Post by **KAVA** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:42 pm

After a little research i found the best place not to surf is "Salmon Creek, CA"

Beeline2.0 · Post by **Beeline2.0** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 2:58 pm

Jon Manss · Post by **Jon Manss** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 4:10 pm

No Beeline the best place not to surf is Point Sur. Fortunately you can't because of the military. But if you could the stats would be high for the bitten.

gumby · Post by **gumby** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 6:24 pm

To be honest I am not afraid of all sharks just hungry ones. How is the contest run? For the entry fee do you get just one heat. I would like to enter but I do not want to just get one heat and out. I have never been in a contest and do not know the rules.

JohnS · Post by **JohnS** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 7:18 pm

DarcyM · Post by **DarcyM** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 10:32 pm

gumby - all competitors will definitely get more than one heat. I think four would be the minimum, with second chance repercharge and each person in open and age division for the entry fee. Tom or Jack will be able to correct or confirm.

A chance to surf Steamer Lane with only three other kneelos in the water (no surfers, no longboarders)? Priceless.

KAVA · Post by **KAVA** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:16 am

If that happened to me, I'd put that tooth on a necklass and wear it every day to remind me how lucky I am to be alive

exactly what i was thinking!

Tom Linn · Post by **Tom Linn** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:31 pm

Every competitor will get a minimum of three heats (1st round and repercharge in the open plus 1st round in age group). We may be able to expand that to a minimum of four heats if the waves and weather are favorable.

nwdude · Post by **nwdude** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 9:47 pm

how many in a heat ?