Today I checked Sharkresearchcommittee.com, which is a site that is dedicated to tracking shark sightings up and down the Pacific Coast. The reports are made by common folks; surfers, beach goers, spongers (i.e. shark bait), and fishermen. They are usually all the same: so-and-so was chilling in the water, or walking on the beach, then he or she saw a large black fin, promptly pooped their pampers and ran to the nearest lifeguard station. Every now and then you get a dedicated waterman (or woman) who accurately notes the length, size, and type of shark that they witness, and somehow during the whole event they manage to take a stellar National Geographic style photograph or vid.
However, when I read this site, what "chums my water" the most are the reports that are made at beaches that I've surfed before. Like El Porto, or Sunset, or even Big Dume. Then I think about all of those times that I have been sitting alone--in murky water mind you--and I wonder if maybe a juvenile whitey was lurking below, contemplating whether or not he should give me his version of a Facebook poke. Just for the readers personal knowledge, the whitey poke is often quickly followed by painful defriending.
Ah, but sharks have been in the ocean long before I started surfing, and they will be there even at the end of the world (when they grow legs and begin attacking people on land). We are only guests in their realm, and we must show them respect. Not to mention that those sharp-toothed locals are often more afraid of us then we are of them. So, all in all, be cool to whitey. With that being said though, if you see a cute seal in a Kevlar vest, show your respect by getting the hell out of the water.
Here's the link to Mr. Patterson's video: http://www.surfline.com/video/locals/great-whites-off-san-o_46403
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