Massive wind at Bodega Bay starting Tuesday

davewsail · Post by **davewsail** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:28 pm

So what happens if you lose your board? Your board blows in to shore, but you?

Also Jon, I wonder if it's like an electric fence? Determined dogs will take the shock to get through.

So the website says the USCG uses these devices. Can someone corroborate that claim?

Jtrupkin · Post by **Jtrupkin** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 10:37 pm

Dave,

The rescue swimmers are really the only ones going in the water and they don't have any anti shark devices. It could be possible that the CG has tested them letting the website "technically" say that we use them. But we dont use anything like that.

Greg · Post by **Greg** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:02 pm

I've seen sharks in the cannel of reef that looked like the reef was moving...
expell water ballast NOW! :shock:
G.

davewsail · Post by **davewsail** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:10 am

Too bad, I was kind of hoping you would say that the CG swears by the devices. I'd gladly spend $650 if it was highly probably to be effective in preventing a shark encounter which otherwise would occur. But, a couple videos showing a shark swerving aren't enough to give me any confidence personally. I do know that sharks use electric field sensors to find prey, so the device sounds like it could work in theory. But what if the electric field actually attracts sharks that wouldn't otherwise be there?

I for one am not willing to do a field experiment on effectiveness. It would be cool to have someone local go out to the Farallones and experiment with one of these things (yeah I know you need a permit-- any marine biologists kiteboard?). Chum the water and get the sharks chowing. Then strap this thing on a seal carcass and throw it in the water. If the sharks left it alone, I'd believe then.

dpca10 · Post by **dpca10** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:56 am

Actually i've been watching this device for about 8 years now since the pod was invented. I was a marine bio student at UCSD before deciding on medicine so I have some background and a lot of experience in reading studys, sorting out bs.. etc. Here are the most interesting facts that I found when digging deep.

1. They strapped an earlier prototype to a piece of bloody tuna and the shark ate it. The water was chummed and the sharks were already in a feeding frenzy when they dropped it in.

2. The best testimonials come from the Ab divers in Australia, the most convincing was one where the diver stated his brother (another ab diver) died in a shark attack while ascending. These guys sound like sitting ducks on the way up. Anyway, he had a shark continue to circle him all the way up but never got closer than 15 ft while wearing the shark shield. I searched the divers last name and attack and sure enough an australian newspaper article showed up with report of the brothers death.

3. The white shark does use the ampule of lorenzi for finding prey.

4. White sharks do not have eyelids, that is why they have a unique attack style: in most cases bite and circle waiting for the prey to bleed to death. (Not always obviously) During the attack they roll their eyes back to protect them from the claws of the seal. This is why so many surfers survive these attacks. A seal isn't going to climb into a boat or swim to shore and head to a hospital for a transfusion. A shark isn't in any rush to eat you, they would rather protect their eyes from what they think is a thrashing seal. The same can't be said for bull sharks that choose to maul their prey.

5. Recent research has shown that sharks swim in the surf zone because the water is more oxygenated there.

So my conclusion is that the sharks are swiming the surf zone not really looking to feed. They have an adept mechanism to detect danger vs food via the ampule of lorenzi. The shark shield looks like it sends out the danger signal, which encourages the sharks not to enter feeding mode. This can be seen on the you tube discovery video where the diver sits beneth the tuna with the shark shield on. So I went ahead and bought it, if anything I think the irony alone will protect me from being attacked.

BTW: I have no affiliation with this company but am open to sponsorship opportunities :) Also I carry a med kit in the car so I'll happily clamp anyones femoral artery if i'm out.

moblvet · Post by **moblvet** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:58 am

DPCA10
I just bought the Shark shield surf, I plan on hooking it to my kiteboard and hitting up Double Point.... someday. Any takers to join?

Dble Pt is near my house and have windsurfed and kited there but big buts about the place:
1. Major haulout of over 1000 harbor seals, therefore really a great white territory.
2. Access from Palo only at very low tides, and then not for long, high tide traps you. Best access by boat.

Anyhow it's a place not to take lightly, if you want to know more PM me.
Wildcat beach is more user friendly, easier access, safer, and waves better there.

elli · Post by **elli** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:21 am

One thing I didn't fully get is how you install it. The electrodes need to be fully immersed, so does it have to be on the bottom of the board? What happens when you actually surf and not sit in the water? In the pictures they always show someone sitting on the board, like he is waiting for the wave.
I am guessing it works only for directionals.

fearlu · Post by **fearlu** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:36 am

Moblvet, is this beach you mentioned below the views (and down the bluff) from the Palo Marin Trail that parallels the waterfront and leads to a couple of reservoirs that lie above sea level?

I only ask since I hiked there with my kids one day and thought it might be rideable/launchable from the beach below. Not that I'm interested in chummin' around there or anything...

dpca10 · Post by **dpca10** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:51 am

If I get attacked while riding a wave i'll just accept that it's really my time to go! It's the sitting out there that isn't fun. I bought it primarily for surfing, but bought another plate to attach it to my kiteboard. I decided that in the middle by the grab handle coming out the side perpendicular to the riding direction would be best for kiteboarding. A little worried that it will whip my leg, but we'll see. Probably wear a board leash (although I hate them) if I was out there in the sharky stuff. I spent about an hour in the wherehouse comparing the surf model to the leg strap model. I decided on the surf since the wire is longer but thinner. The Leg strap model really is thick 4x a surf leash. The battery unit looks the same for the surf model and can probably be adapted to wear on the leg if that turns out to be better, but with the advantage of a thinner cord.

Moblvet i'd love to know more check your pm.

moblvet · Post by **moblvet** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 11:22 am

The trailhead at the end of Mesa Road goes to several lakes and eventually to Wildcat beach.

http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi- ... ch&flags=0

The Palo marin trail goes to Palo(aka" the rock"), next point up is Abalone point that while still dicey has been launched.

From the lake on the trail, a waterfall goes over the cliff to Double point, need carabiners to make it down to beach.

http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi- ... nt&flags=0

The real lost coast is at Estero americano, can never get any of my mates to try it, maybe someday.

http://www.californiacoastline.org/cgi- ... nt&flags=0

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Massive wind at Bodega Bay starting Tuesday

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