RE: [Paddlewise] My Great White Shark Attack Report

Craig wrote
............I wonder how many kayaks have been documented as having been
attacked by a shark of any species.......

G'day,

Glad to hear you're OK Duane, a 5m GWS sounds big.

Craig, I know of four attacks in Australia, but in only one was the kayaker
killed, that was decades ago in Middle Harbour and the boat was a rowing
scull not a kayak, so possibly more easily unbalanced. A second was in the
Parramatta River Sydney afew years ago, a bull shark knocked the kayaker out
of his boat. I seem to recollect he may have had a drink or two, anyway he
clung to a nearby buoy or something 'til rescued. I was told of another when
I applied for boat insurance and asked if they covered shark attack, the
agent said "Of course why only the other day we had a claim from someone
paddling off a beach near Perth who was knocked out of his boat and rescued
by a friend while the shark continued to worry the boat". Not sure if the
agent was pulling my leg. Another last year off the coast of Tasmania was my
mate John Wilde. The shark left a tooth in the kayak and it sounded very
similar to Duane's attack. 

After the more recent attacks I decided to forego paddling foldables at sea
in Australia and to always have flotation bags behind the bulkheads. 

Kayakers paddling north Queensland quite often report sharks nudging their
boat but that isn't an attack its just the shark using sensors in its skin
to check if its worth attacking, and usually they realise its not.

Duane, careful how you seal up the holes, you might want to use a
contrasting gel coat, the history will surely add to your kayak's resale
value!

All the best, PeterO
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