shark bites kiter in florida

[JimPat]

ABC news this morning showed a kite surfer bitten at Delray Beach florida. The shark later apologized as it mistook the person for a surfer. The kite surfer said he accepted the apology and said he would try to be more careful in the future. How do you be more careful? Maybe mount a fish finder device on the front of the board and when it detects a big fish you go around it? The kite surfer said he had no hard feelings so I guess no rigor mortis? There were no recorded car accidents on either of those beaches so I guess you are more likely to be bitten by a shark then hit by a car when in that area!! Oh, when I say beaches; there was also someone bitten by a shark that same day on Smyrna beach. I am wondering if we could make something similar to a deer whistle that is mounted on your car? Or maybe just don't bother to stick your arm out to signal your turn!!!!!!!!! Just do it!!!!!!!!!!

[MK]

Well stated Jim. I'm kinda thinking anything down in that area has a little more risk than the local muskies. I heard the report and recalled this story: http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/kiteboa ... by-sharks/

Makes me jittery to tackle the Gulf next month knowing there are men in black suits down there.

[rookie]

They have them down in SPI too. but down there they keep it hush hush, so Jim keeps coming back!!

[fabrino]

mmm I am actually in Captiva FL springbreaking with the family..
I've got all my kite equipment but so far the wind has not cooperated so it has been all shelling and sandcastling..
tomorrow though the forecast look promising..

now all this shark business makes me nervous..
will let you know tomorrow if I am all in one piece...
enjoy the snow...

[jerlane]

Captiva's not too far from Gasparilla Island where I caught this little guy a few hundred yards off shore last year. Don't worry, I'm sure they don't make it that far south. Have fun Kiting, just don't fall!

Shark.JPG (340.68 KiB) Viewed 8391 times

[JimPat]

Nice catch!!!!! Florida led the world for 2013 with 23 attacks, Hawaii 13, Cal. 1, Texas 1 (not in SPI). I think they prefer worn out old people and that doesn't bode well for me!!!!!!!!

[MK]

I think we would all agree that you are not worn out:)

[Drvermin]

Sharks? Baah, how would you like to get smacked by a whale?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O55ddcZWCI

[rookie]

or an airplane!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNQkIjxdSwg

[fabrino]

whaoo nice catch in gasparilla..yet, despite shark fears yesterday conditions were too good to pass up..
had a very memorable session in the gulf yesterday.. sunset, warm waters, big waves and steady 20+ wind (just-right-powered on my 9).. first time kiting in the gulf and I liked it..

had me thinking though.. conditions were really A+, island is packed with people, the beach on Captiva is fairly kite friendly,
yet I was the only kiter in the whole island.. despite some growth our sport is still very much a niche thing.. on one hand I like it that way, on the other hand kiting, launching, and landing solo is always a bit more stressfull..

anyway, back to mn tomorrow, guess some more snowkiting will be possible..

[scotty]

Hi James, I saw that Shark attack FL 2013 report, yikes! My winter kiteboard condo is in cocoa beach. Yup , right in the hot bed. Last fall we also had whitey to contend with. No worries thou, navy tagged it with a transmitter so we could track it with an iPhone before kitting.

Some how I have this false sense of security kitting along side my surfing brotherhood
That are floating on fish lure longboards wearing black baby seal outfits. Makes me feel like I might be a couple of links above them on the ole food chain kitting fast and not falling.

Ironically, it's not the big fish that killed anyone in FL 2013, but the small ones. Really small, as in microbial. Vibrio bacteria took out 10 people. It's fresh water cousin killed 2 in Minnesota.
DON'T GO IN WARM WATER with an open cut or wound. Oh and wear your seatbelt and helmet driving to the beach ......Warm water in Minnesota?........Muskies MK?.....hmmmmmm

CU alll when it's liquid. Capt. Scotty

Hey Fabrino, check out the mud (sand) flats. East of the toll bridge south side of the road. Shallow sand forever, west to south wind. Good old fashion un glamorous Minnesota drift launch best practice. Makes me shutter watching assist launch next to that busy road.

[MK]

Fab, I'll be down in SPI Gulf end of April. I just had a conversation last night with concerns of the water temps being too cool, whereas the colder Gulf water temps can play adversely with the wind. Your post brings hope that the temps are going in the right direction.

Scotty, for some reason (probably 'Jaws' which was on tv last night) I have an unrealistic fear of sharks. I just know I'm less likely to suffer an attack here in MN:) Nice response, fun to read.