Surfing with the Great Whites

By Stefan Marti

White shark: Credit: Bob Wilson

September marks the beginning of Indian summer in the Bay Area—off-shore breezes, warm weather, dissipating fog, good surf, and of course the return of white shark season.  Last month’s shark attack at Marina State Beach near Monterey was a frightening reminder that we share the ocean with these majestic creatures.  Local Todd Endris was attacked while surfing.

Yet while many people panic at the idea of stepping into cold waters infested with 20-foot-long mammal-eating creatures, much needs to be clarified about these misunderstood fish.

Spielberg’s 1975 film “Jaws” filled the world with an intense fear of these deadly predators.  However, white sharks do not hunt humans.  If anything, sharks are the victims of human fishing and hunting practices.  It is estimated that 73 million sharks are killed each year for their fins. Although people have been attacked, white sharks feed primarily on pinnipeds, such as seals and sea lions.  Apparently, humans lack the fat content of these tastier animals.  Younger, juvenile white sharks feed primarily on fish. 

White sharks use an extra electrosense that allows them to locate the movement of living animals in the water.  Hence, a swimmer splashing around in the ocean could easily be mistaken for a seal.  Some people argue that wearing a dark wetsuit makes humans look even more like seals, but there is no scientific proof that sharks visually mistake humans for pinnipeds.  The fact is that where there are many seals and sea lions, there are sharks, and ocean goers need to take caution, particularly in areas abundant with pinniped life.

Credit: Bob Wilson

Odd behavior of seals, birds or dolphins can be a warning sign that something else is in the water. At the recent attack in Marina, several dolphins began splashing around in a frantic circle, moments before Endris was attacked.  A white shark attacks from below, so there is no visual warning that one is coming (contrary to the exposed fin of the Jaws film).

An incredible part of the Marina story is after Endris was attacked, the dolphins continued to splash in an aggressive circle, apparently trying to protect Endris.  However, the shark returned for a second attack.  According to witnesses, the dolphins kept thrashing around the wounded surfer until the shark let go.

“The dolphins were doing these big tail slaps on the surface of the water,” said Wes Williams, a witness to the attack.  “It was so bloody that the water splashes were all red. All of a sudden, one dolphin leapt full out of the air and swung its tail around, missing Todd's head by two inches.”

Although Endris was attacked twice, he survived the experience.  Witnesses profess that the dolphins saved the surfer's life.

The Marina assault was unusual, as white sharks generally attack with one bite and then retreat and wait for the prey to bleed to death.  This is one advantage for humans, as many who have been attacked have been able to get to shore.  People swimming, diving or surfing alone are at the greatest risk.

Another misleading figure is the odds of being attacked by a shark.  Statistics show that it is more likely that you will die in a car accident or by a bee sting than a shark attack.  However, although more people die each year in car accidents, there are millions of people traveling in cars every day, while only a handful step into shark prone waters.  "The Red Triangle", the area of ocean which stretches from Bodega Bay out to the Farallon Islands and down to Big Sur, is one of these shark-filled areas. particularly from September to December.

Credit: NOAA The overall truth, however, is that the chance of getting attacked and killed by a shark is very tiny.  In the past two years, there have only been four deaths a year due to sharks.  This compared to the millions of people who swim in the oceans worldwide.

Thus, although sharks season has begun again in Northern California, thousands of surfers will be returning to the ocean to catch that perfect Indian summer wave.