Anyone who has ever spent any time in Australia knows that surfing is very popular and widespread in Australia. But everyone also knows that there are many sharks in the Pacific and Indian Oceans and that many surfers have been attacked by sharks.
When I talk to people about Australia, it doesn't take long for the question to come up: "Aren't you afraid of sharks?". It's a difficult question, but I don't think I'm really afraid, at least not permanently, at least on the east coast, otherwise I probably wouldn't go into the water at all. I would rather say that I have become accustomed to the danger over time. I know that the sharks are always there somewhere, regardless of whether I see them or not. On the other hand, it also depends on where I go into the water. If I'm in the water here on the Sunshine Coast with, say, 50 other surfers at a spot, I hardly think about sharks at all. But if I'm alone in the water early in the morning in a remote national park, then it's a different story. It is generally said that the risk of encountering a shark is highest early in the morning at sunrise and in the evening at sunset, as this is when they are most active. So far, I have never looked a shark in the eye, even at these times.
Are sharks common on Australia's beaches?
Yes, sharks are common in Australia's waters, especially on the coasts. However, of the 180 different shark species, only 21 have been recorded attacking humans. More on the statistics in a moment.
Do sharks attack surfers?
Yes, shark attacks on surfers do occur, but research shows that sharks generally do not recognize humans as food. The thing about surfers is that from below they look like seals to sharks, which are in turn in the food chain. In other words, sharks don't have the best eyesight and occasionally attack surfers by mistake. It's just stupid for the surfers. But don't panic, the statistics for this are very low.
What are the usual regions for sharks?
Sounds stupid, but wherever you can surf in Australia, you can encounter a shark. On the east coast you usually have tiger sharks or bull sharks, but fewer great white sharks, which are more comfortable in lower temperatures, such as on the south or west coast of Australia. If you google this question, you will be told specifically about the Gold Coast, Byron Bay or Ballina. But I'll just say that these 3 places (all within a 2 hour drive of each other) are probably the most popular or rather the best known surf spots, which means they're also the busiest, which in turn means the likelihood of one in 5873738 surfers encountering a shark is higher than somewhere in the middle of nowhere where there's one in the water every few days.
What to do if you see a shark?
Yes, easy to say, but try to stay calm and never paddle away in a panic. Make your way slowly towards the beach, but try to maintain eye contact with the shark. If possible, get into a group with other surfers. You have to imagine that the shark probably thinks you are a seal. If you paddle away in a panic, it may think you are surprised, which makes you even more attractive as prey. If you stay calm and preferably together with other surfers, the shark will hopefully realize that you are not a seal and will probably be afraid of the group performance. Be sure to inform the coastguard if you have spotted a shark.
How likely is a shark attack while surfing?
Experts constantly emphasize that the chance of being attacked by a shark is very low. The "Taronga Conversation Society Australia" has explained in great detail how particularly unlikely it is - database
In 2023, a total of 600 million beach visits (not visitors!) were recorded. Meaning, if I go to the beach 3 times a week, that counts as 3 visits in the statistics. In the last 10 years, an average of 20 shark attacks on people (not just surfers) have been recorded, 2.8 of which ended fatally. 2.8 attacks per year out of 600 million beach visits... do the math!
in 2023, for example, there were 4 fatal shark attacks in Australia. At the same time, there were 1,266 fatal accidents on Australia's roads.
What can I do to prevent shark attacks
As a surfer, I think there are 2 good tools against shark attacks. One is the FCS Sharkpod, which sends out electrical impulses and thus drives the sharks away. Simply attach it to your leash and you'll be a lot safer. You can also watch test videos and read reports on the website - it's really interesting!
If you can't or don't want to spend that much money, you can get the stickers from "Shark Eyes". These are a pair of eyes that you can stick under your board and look like an enemy to the shark, thus driving it away. Very simple and supposedly very effective. Have a read for yourself
Can I still go surfing in Australia?
Yes, definitely!!! Australia is fantastic for surfing. Yes, there are sharks, but you can also find them in Bali or anywhere else. Don't forget how low the probability is. Yes, it's a risk, but a little adrenaline is sometimes part of it. Get in the water!
Yewww!!!!!
