Hammerhead Shark "attack" at Grayton

[saj300]

Last year, we were at the public beach access in Santa Rosa, and a beach fisherman caught and reeled in a shark right up on the beach through the middle of a bunch of screaming swimmers. Since then, I never swim near anyone fishing, and ask those fishing to find a spot away from me (only if my family was in the water at that location first). I also never rent a condo near one of those fishing piers. I always thought it better to stay away from waters chummed by a bunch of kids baiting a hook.

I just looked at the tips to avoid a "shark encounter." All things I have heard before, but good to hear again. The only tip I have always found confusing relates to sand bars. Despite the above posts, I don't think it is easy to detect the first or second sand bars, and their locations are definitely not consistent. In some areas, the sandbars are easy to reach, and in others, they are far out. So I don't think that is an appropriate guidepost for children. Last year, when the teenage girl in Destin was attacked, it was reported she was on the second sand bar, though witness reports conflicted as to how far out she was swimming. The sentiment expressed on the Weather Channel program, "predators in the panhandle," was that she was too far out, and that, in a sense, she put herself in the wrong place and was to blame. My general rule, consequently, is to avoid as much risk as possible (I know the ocean is wild and there will be some risk), stay close to shore in 3-5 foot of water, and save the deep water swimming for the condo pool.

I love the beach and ocean, and know that there is some risk involved , but would appreciate any clarificaiton from a local ocean swimmer on the sand bar rule, and whether or not the local thinks that rule is really helpful. How far out in your opinion is "too far?"

 

[Ocean Lover]

Derbygirl! One of the reasons l love the area so much is that you can actually see what you are swimming with. I wouldn't swim very far out on a murky water day. Just keep a look out and all will be fine. Good advice from Shelly and Kurt. Have a grayt vacation!

 

[Kurt]

saj - the sand bars move and shift, especially during storms. They disappear after major events. Sometimes and in some areas they are prominent and sometimes not. In general though if the water is at least fairly clear you can easily see them, especially from a walkover. The classic scene is the first sand bar 20-50 feet from the shorelins and the second 50-100 feet beyond that, but they can vary greatly. Sometimes there are none or one. It is harder to see the 2nd bar because it is farther out and usually deeper..

Fish and their predators (sharks) like to cruise in between the sandbars, but the main thing is to not go to far out even though sharks will come right up to the shore it is not as common as deeper water.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Currently, in Grayton, the first sandbar is approx 120' from the beach. The second sandbar is a good 650 ft from the beach (illegal to swim out that far). Sharks, including the one seen yesterday, will swim in the trough between the beach and the first sand bar while feeding. The drop offs near both sandbars are a place where fish like to hang out, thus you will commonly see sharks and Dolphins feeding there. Right now, the trough between the beach and the first sandbar may vary and be as deep as 5 or 6 feet. Even as close as 5 ft to the beach, water can be 3ft deep.

By the way, the second sandbar is nothing which you can stand on, unless you are much taller than Shaquille O'Neal. ;-)

Below is an example (not current) of the sandbars in Grayton with measurements from the beach to the high point of the sandbars.

 

[Bud]

ehh most those sharks want nothing to do with people. more people die from coconuts falling on there heads...

 

[Beach Goddess]

Also, aren't solid color bathing suits in colors other than yellow or orange better? We always get my son a plain light blue suit that is for the gulf and a wild patterned one for the pool.

 

[saj300]

Thanks kurt and sj, both posts very helpful. the picture is great. bud, i agree, and am not too worried about the risk. but just like the risk of being struck by lightning is low, i know not to get under a tree during a lightning storm. similarly, while the risk of a shark encounter is low, I would prefer not to take actions that would subject me to unnecessary risk. so, i would want to know, if, while my family was swimming at the first sand bar (with my permission), the locals (who spend more than one week a year at the beach and are more familiar with the inherent "wildness" of the ocean) are thinking to themselves, "what in the heck are they doing splashing around out there?" After watching that program on the Weather Channel, I got the impression that the locals in the destin area had these thoughts concerning the poor girl that was attacked. i dont want my loved ones to be in the same situation.

My point is--I think the unqualifiied statement that, in regard to the possibility of encouterning a shark, "you are more likely to get struck by lightning," gives a false sense of security to those who might, through ignorant bliss, swim out to the deeps with no concern whatsoever.

thanks again for the local insight! From an unworried, but aware, tourist.

 

[Franny]

Also, aren't solid color bathing suits in colors other than yellow or orange better? We always get my son a plain light blue suit that is for the gulf and a wild patterned one for the pool.

Great idea miramargal!!

 

[JB]

Also, aren't solid color bathing suits in colors other than yellow or orange better? We always get my son a plain light blue suit that is for the gulf and a wild patterned one for the pool.

Sharks don't see in color, do they? I can understand not wearing anything shiny that could reflect sunlight, but wearing a certain color swimsuit?

Any marine biologists around?

 

[TripleB]

My wife bought me trunks with shiny silver fish medallions dangling from the legs. Come to think of it...she did have a smirk when she gave them to me.