Just wondering people's thoughts on the shark shield for surfing, do you have one or what are your thoughts.

You do realize the shark shield only works when stationary. The probe must sink into the water to actually work so when your moving its on the surface and does nothing.

jbshack said...

You do realize the shark shield only works when stationary. The probe must sink into the water to actually work so when your moving its on the surface and does nothing.

do you have a reference for this statement ?

Im gettin one for crowd control

Considered getting a Shark Shield (SS) on several occasions (yes, I drive a Volvo). Forum testimonials from divers and kayakers regarding the SS are mostly favourable (e.g. reduced shark close encounters), although under certain circumstances the SS appears to be tragically ineffective (e.g. 19Feb2011, Coffin Harbour, SA). A credible concern voiced by some divers is that the SS may, in fact, attract sharks from a distance, but then repel them when they come in for a closer look. It is my understanding that the electrical field is considered insufficient to stop a predatory attack launched from beyond the SS's effective radius (this may explain the apparent SS failure in the above mentioned incident).
I seem to recall a UWA marine/shark expert was recently quoted (in the West Australian) that it would be several more years before a really decent shark repelling device will become available.

au_rick said...

jbshack said...

You do realize the shark shield only works when stationary. The probe must sink into the water to actually work so when your moving its on the surface and does nothing.

do you have a reference for this statement ?

That's true. The unit must be fully underwater to work. Even the instructions say it might not work when moving...

http://sharkshield.com/assets/documents/instructions_screen_1.3.pdf

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

This product gives proven effective protection against shark attacks when the surfer is stationary, waiting for a wave or for any other reason. In these cases the Shark Shield? antenna hangs directly down into the water, creating a powerful pulsating field which, under all normal circumstances, prevents sharks from gaining access to the surfer. This includes the largest and most
dangerous sharks.
Please note that this protection may not apply when the board is moving fast e.g. when paddling or riding a wave. In these cases, the antenna and the protective field may drag behind the board on the surface resulting in either or both electrodes in the antenna not being submerged.

dreads said...

dawnpatrol, by the sounds of things you have one yourself. If so whats your thoughts on them. I see a few crew down south are wearing them now also

Nah I don't have one. I've just considered it a bit and read up on them.
So far I've decided not to bother with one for surfing, but I'm keen to get into diving and think I might 'invest' in one then...maybe...

I am curious though how fast someone must be paddling to make the shield leave the water. Is it just a slow paddle back out, or when paddling quickly for a wave. Would be interested if anyone knows!

au_rick said...

jbshack said...

You do realize the shark shield only works when stationary. The probe must sink into the water to actually work so when your moving its on the surface and does nothing.

do you have a reference for this statement ?

Dawn patrol beat me too it. (Sorry been away). I wasn't having a dig at anyone in regards to my first post. It was just that i read up on them and i was surprised that most people were unaware that they don't work on the surface. In fact a abb diver was taken by a shark whilst wearing a shield. The corner determined that the fact that the prob was floating on the surface was why it did not work. (he had it attached to his air line)

Deep water paddles always freak me out..

Got the surfer version cheap from a mate at a duve shop...surfed with it about 5 times and been surfing like **** since....dont know if its the shark shield or new stick though...couple problems with it...if it wraps around ya leg or neck it zaps the **** outa ya...tangles around leggy occassionally and creates alot of drag when this happens...i dont think it creates alot of drag when surfing but maybe just in tight turns and snaps...I'd love to see taj or any pro have a go with one and give a review...I think airs and really technical ** is a no go but barrels no problem.

Oh and you needa buy a sticky plate for every board you use ($50 each)...