Back to SoWal Lounge

Almost Forgot.... Had My 1st Shark

RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
2,837 views
Encounter and no............... dagummit I don't have pics. Much like the dolphin encounter the camera was in the beach bag.

Ok heres the story. I and the OldestLittleOtter (AlphaGeek) were building a sand fort, got hot and waded into the gulf to cool off. I was walking pretty fast to get thru the seaweed which was thick for about 10 yards off shore. Then I headed to the clear blue water which was only about 25 yards off shore. I look up at a very clear wave building on the sandbar and :shock: there it is coming at me ridding the wave not 20 feet from me. Actually coming from the west so headed towards me at an angle. I told AG theres a shark go back in so he did.

I looked to the east and saw a mom (I'm guessing) and her daughter kicking out over the sandbar on a raft which is where the shark was headed. (BTW the shark was 2.5 to 3 feet long and looked to be a black tip but kinda had the head of a bullshark)

I didn't want to yell SHARK!!!! and cause a huge ruckus but I felt I had to warn the mom and 5 maybe 6 yr old. So I started walking towards her and tried to get her attention by saying "Maam" and waving my arms. She didn't hear me. Then I notice her and the little one kick their feet and jerk around and start looking. Then my heart stated to race so I plowed through the water and got close enough so they heard and saw me.

I said "I think you should go sit on the beach for a while"

She didn't even hesitate. She started back towards me (and the beach) and said "did you see something?"

I said "yes, Like a dolphin ridding the waves"

She said "but it wasn't a dolphin"

I said "no maam it wasn't" ;-)

Then the little girl said "why are we turning around?"

Gotta give the mom credit here....:cool:

She said "lets go play in the sand for a while"

........... whew

I was then relating the story to GB and the LittleestOtter and a lady who had been ridding that big chair float said the "baby shark" (and it was small) had been there all week around 3pm and had bumped her yesterday. She said she got out of the water post haste :biggrin:

About 30 minutes went by and I couldn't stand it. I picked up my camera and headded out. Of course the camera was the best anti shark insurance there is. No freakin shark :angry:

Later, maybe 15 or 20 more minutes went buy and a couple was snorkling out past the sandbar. I notice they were carring their gear and walking with great haste towards the beach. As they got close the guy said "that shark bumped me" :shock: .

Noone got hurt but wow! I am not kidding when I say that shark was 20 feet or less from me ridding that wave. Had I had my camera on it would have made the papers :bang:

P.S. I didn't bother proofing the spelling or grammer. So feel free to rip all that but the story is real :cool:

Replies

50
Jdarg avatar
SoWal Expert
#27
Ha. They don't stand a chance against jdarg. :floor:

Yes, I am a Man O' War murderer. But only when a dozen or so kids want to touch it, play with it, poke sticks at it, etc. They are kid magnets because they are so cool looking, but I didn't have my Man'OWar sling shot handy to zing it out past the second sand bar.

Back to RO's shark. Yes, I remember my first...shark.;-)
DD avatar
SoWal Expert
#28
Great story, RO! I think we mighta seen one too, but I don't wear glasses, so it coulda been a dolphin. Not enough of a story to mention....your story is great and Kitty's right--you are a HeRO. :clap:
Miss Kitty avatar
Meow
#29
Yes, I am a Man O' War murderer. But only when a dozen or so kids want to touch it, play with it, poke sticks at it, etc. They are kid magnets because they are so cool looking, but I didn't have my Man'OWar sling shot handy to zing it out past the second sand bar.

Back to RO's shark. Yes, I remember my first...shark.;-)

:floor: ...oh, I have been waiting for this post!!!! Where's the smilie smoking a ciggy????
Uncle Timmy avatar
Beach Fanatic
#30
Whenever I kayak in the Gulf in the morning I almost always see at least one 3' bullshark up near the shore.

I guess the extra height of being in the 'boat' makes 'em easier to spot. Either way, I think they are always there.

Sometimes, when I am feeling particularily energetic - I will chase them. Not sure why I enjoy this, it must be some sort of Queequeg Syndrome. The need to chase after aquatic animals.
peapod1980 avatar
percy
#31
Sometimes, when I am feeling particularily energetic - I will chase them. Not sure why I enjoy this, it must be some sort of Queequeg Syndrome. The need to chase after aquatic animals.
Queequeg, death wish. Potato, potahto. ;-)
Uncle Timmy avatar
Beach Fanatic
#32
Queequeg, death wish. Potato, potahto. ;-)

Actually, Ahab Syndrome is the death wish. That would be chasing the sharks outside of the kayak.

I'm disturbed, clearly, but not suicidal.
Miss Kitty avatar
Meow
#33
Actually, Ahab Syndrome is the death wish. That would be chasing the sharks outside of the kayak.

I'm disturbed, clearly, but not suicidal.

:wave: ...Hi Timmy, I could be your new BFF!!!! :biggrin:
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?Author
#34
Actually, Ahab Syndrome is the death wish. That would be chasing the sharks outside of the kayak.

I'm disturbed, clearly, but not suicidal.


If I was in a boat I'd chase em :cool:
Uncle Timmy avatar
Beach Fanatic
#35
If I was in a boat I'd chase em :cool:

It's fun, you should try it sometimes. They get real skerd and zip away if you get too close!!!

Shark Chasing, a new Sowal pasttime?
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?Author
#36
It's fun, you should try it sometimes. They get real skerd and zip away if you get too close!!!

Shark Chasing, a new Sowal pasttime?

I'd rather be chasing them.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
RiverOtter<------------ shark chaser :biggrin:
peapod1980 avatar
percy
#37
Actually, Ahab Syndrome is the death wish. That would be chasing the sharks outside of the kayak.

I'm disturbed, clearly, but not suicidal.
Whatever you are, Uncle T, I like it. :D
Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
#38
Whatever you are, Uncle T, I like it. :D
he's a bat turd. didn't ya know that??? everybody knows that! :wave: ;-) :lol:
Landlocked avatar
Beach Fanatic
#39
If I was in a boat I'd chase em :cool:

poo poo in the kayak time

RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?Author
#40
RiverOtter<---- Not a big shark chaser :biggrin:

poo poo in the kayak time

peapod1980 avatar
percy
#41
poo poo in the kayak time
LL!!!
Cheering472 avatar
SoWal Insider
#42
LL does more drive by posting than anyone. :D
Landlocked avatar
Beach Fanatic
#43
LL does more drive by posting than anyone. :D

I know. I hate it but I'm always on the run! Which is a good thing for the most part.
kathydwells avatar
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
#44
I know. I hate it but I'm always on the run! Which is a good thing for the most part.

:wave:
Cheering472 avatar
SoWal Insider
#45
I know. I hate it but I'm always on the run! Which is a good thing for the most part.

Come back when you can :wave:
Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
#46
:wave: hey LL! here's to cleaning out the ole kayak!:drink:
Uncle Timmy avatar
Beach Fanatic
#47
he's a bat turd. didn't ya know that??? everybody knows that! :wave: ;-) :lol:

I'm GUANO?
peapod1980 avatar
percy
#48
I'm GUANO?
I gua-no, are you? :floor:
Uncle Timmy avatar
Beach Fanatic
#49
I gua-no, are you? :floor:
After I read dee book, den I'm guano................
Uncle Timmy avatar
Beach Fanatic
#50
RiverOtter<---- Not a big shark chaser :biggrin:

Oh come now, everybody knows you just bop 'em on the snout......

big shark, big snout, really big bop.
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?Author
#51
Oh come now, everybody knows you just bop 'em on the snout......

big shark, big snout, really big bop.


Or not

Checking your forum account

Please wait while we verify your forum account.