If the shark knew it was a surfer it likely wouldn't have attacked, so I doubt that would work, but a tougher board is not a bad idea

Carbon Fiber

How would the shark know he couldn't bite through the board without first attempting to bite through it? Shark school?

The first bite is usually enough from something with the size and force of a great white to kill a human being. I think the idea is that you resemble a seal or another edible sea dweller that is the sharks usual meal. I don't think making the board made out of something tougher would matter.

I just don't understand where making the board out of tougher material would solve anything.

Unless you fasten a cage to your surfboard there isnt any way to protect yourself against a 20ft Great White that whill hit you with the force of a pick-up truck. Carbon fiber boards? Really? So instead of having your $800 board bit in half now you have a $3500 board bit in half along with your upper torso.

Have you seen "Shark Week?" Great Whites literally explode out of the water; the impact would knock the surfer off the board, and often snap the board in half. The surfer would be dazed from the impact, and floating in the water unprotected. Then, depending on the size of the shark, the surfer could lose anything from a limb to being shaken around like a rag doll (which creates injuries on its own) and being bitten literally in half - it's happened. A tougher board is irrelevant, the best defense would be to not run into one at all.

31 and so much to live for. Another example of why when attacked by sharks people should hand over their money.

It's of no use to fight or argue with those animals.

Have you seen "Shark Week?" Great Whites literally explode out of the water;

You've been watching too much Shark Week. The footage of great whites exploding out of the water to catch fleeing seals is unusual behavior for great whites. They're like any other predator and expend as little energy as possible to catch prey. Sadly, this man was just very unlucky.

It is NOT unusual behavior for them to explode out of the water. It is behavior that is dictated by the underwater terrain for that particular feeding area. You dont watch ENOUGH of Shark Week. And nobody ever said this shark exploded out of the water. Carbon fiber? Sure, tough, but brittle. Ever seen Formula 1 race cars hit a wall? Carbon fiber there. Light and strong but crumble when stressed too much.

If you watched shark week you would know that the "breaching" done by great whites is almost exclusively done off South Africian waters

I am sorry he died, but it is not wise to go surfing during prime feeding hours like dusk and dawn.

surfboards wrapped in chain mail would do it.

Condolences to the family and friends of the surfer. Man in water is always a risk.

Great Whites only breach the water in South Africa. Not in Australia.

iAs others have pointed out here -- stories like this one were on "Shark Week" just other day.

While a surf board made of some kind of "stronger material" might provide a little extra protection -- It is not really make much of a difference -especially againist a 20 foot white shark. Their size, speed, strenght and power is unbeliveable. Luckily cases like this don't happen too often --which is why this is a news story. Of course, I have compassion for people like this young man and his loved ones who lost someone) -- but killing all sharks is not the answer either. It is a force of nature --like being struck by ligthen. Little you can really do but be "careful out there" ~

flbikerchick

You've been watching too much Shark Week. The footage of great whites exploding out of the water to catch fleeing seals is unusual behavior for great whites. They're like any other predator and expend as little energy as possible to catch prey. Sadly, this man was just very unlucky.

Yes, we should ignore footage and shows that clearly indicate, over and over, that Great Whites breach quite often when attacking and listen to you, right? That makes sense. Who are you exactly?

Question: If they made surfboards out of a "space-age fiber" and/or had "shark cages" on them -- how exactly would you use them? They would sink -- No? (which might actually make it easier for the shark!) By the way, my friends -- sharks do NOT take a "little licK or nip" and comes to realize that the board is "too hard to bite" or the person is not sea food or a seal or whatever -- the shark "attacks" and that is the end of the surfer's life story -- and the beginning of a story such as this one!! We must learn to respect the water --and everything that is in and under it.

Just make the surfboard taste like a human.

Exactly. Surfboards are made to surf not defend from shark attacks. Any surfer is not going to use a sub par board for safety. It's about surfing. Also the last thing you want is for 1 surfer to hit another surfer with an over weight board driving the skegs even deeper into flesh.

Some days you get the bear,some days the bear gets you!! Sharkproof surfboards?,gimme a break. Somebody's been in the sun too long and their brain is fried!From what I have seen lately they should be more concerned with box jellyfish the size of a thumb more than 20 foot sharks!!!

Pure: Actually if you paid attention while watching Shark Week you would have learned that the ONLY place in the world where sharks jump out of the water like this is off the coast of South Africa. So this is only "normal" behavior in that particular area.

While certainly most common False Bay in South Africa, that is not the only place they breach.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-socal-shark-sightings,0,4449964.story

http://www.sharkresearchcommittee.com/pacific_coast_shark_news.htm

Lao: Actually, if you read my post, I state clearly:

It is behavior that is dictated by the underwater terrain for that particular feeding area.

JB-just how are we supposed to make animals stay 'where they belong?' I don't agree with baiting sharks for entertainment purposes although I imagine it could be interesting to see. Where I live we have mountain lions. Had a yr. old female in a tree in our yard in 2004. GFP took 6 hrs. to dart her and relocate. Beautiful creatures. They roam for at least 150 miles in their territory. In the vast ocean, sharks have their known hunting grounds where food is plentiful but you never know where they are going to be. Whether in the woods where we are in their territory or in the ocean in shark territory, you go at your own risk. They just don't know humans are not supposed to be a food source and view us as prey. Sounds terrible but is true as we all should know. My sincere condolences to this mans family. May he rest in peace. (This is going to post in the wrong order for some reason I think. Sorry about that.)

randy, thank you for your expert opinion. so many people on the internet act like know it alls, so it's good to hear from the real deal.

@Randy-699352

"Having watched Shark Week recently, I'm now an expert and offer this opinion:"

Thank God for the Discovery channel and Wikipedia: inflating egos since conception. Apparently reading an article or watching a documentary qualifies as expertise ?!?

I think that part was sarcastic, Greg.

lol, you think so? And a sneering remark back isn't?

Hey I stayed at a Holiday Inn the other Night ..I'm an expert also!!

I watch alot of TV too, my whole family are experts. rofl.

Ken Covert

Hey I stayed at a Holiday Inn the other Night ..I'm an expert also!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That only works at Holiday Inn "Express" (Where I just happened to have stayed last night) :)

That make me more of a shark expert person! :P

dude its a frigging shark! i'am sure the familiy would feel different!

So because others are systematically killing sharks this man's death can be written off?? That is ridiculous. Show some compassion. I'm sorry you can't get excited about the suffering of others, even if it is only one person.

Use Clevella for shark bait.

I pray the guy was a tree hugger. I can't even stand the people on shark week saying it was my fault. Then they put their arm on or leg on and dive in. NO. It's not your fault. It's the sharks fault I promise. 100% sharks fault. Sorry people. LOL If i was a surfer I would not mind a guy shark fishing off the coast. Beat the fish back from where they don't belong. If people, animals, stay where they belong everything would be better. Example Terrorist belong in the Middle East. :) Sharks don't belong at beaches where people surf.

The beach is sand. Yes, that is human space, not shark. But that water is shark space. We're their guests.

Wow. "Beat the fish back from where they don't belong." Hey genius, where do you live? Water or land? Where do fish live? Water or land? Can you live in the water? Can sharks live on land?

I think maybe, just maybe, you need to be beat back from where you don't belong.

You mean the same beaches that sharks have been patrolling for food for hundreds of millions of years and until about 60 years ago, becamse spots where people ride waves on styrofoam boards for kicks? Maybe you need beaten back to where you belong, like your mommy's basement.

robian is spot on! JB of all the thousands of idiotic ridiculous posts I have ever read yours was take the prize. you are the reason this world is screwed up. someone needs to dress you in a seal suit and drag you behind a boat on shark week 2011, when a shark bites you in half we will be sure to blame the shark!

While I don't condone the killing of sharks by any means, saying that this man's death means nothing because of all of the sharks that are killed is a horrible thing to say!!!

I agree 100%. When we're in the water we are not at the top of the food chain. We should respect these beautiful animals. Through our arrogance and ignorance we are going to kill all of the apex predators in the ocean. The result? Overpopulation of other fish and oceanic creatures. That's not good for anyone on this planet.

JB...I pray the guy was a tree hugger. I can't even stand the people on shark week saying it was my fault. Then they put their arm on or leg on and dive in. NO. It's not your fault. It's the sharks fault I promise. 100% sharks fault. Sorry people. LOL If i was a surfer I would not mind a guy shark fishing off the coast. Beat the fish back from where they don't belong. If people, animals, stay where they belong everything would be better. Example Terrorist belong in the Middle East. :) Sharks don't belong at beaches where people surf.

...all I can say is WOW!! Really?!?! Your not what people would call an "educated" person, right? My advice to you would be stop posting because it just exposes your ignorance.

JB you are a moron. You are probably one of those people that think that human beings are entitled to every square centimeter of this planet. Let me remind you of something; when you go in the water, you are NOT on top of the food chain. Its just like if you go to the savannah in Africa and get eaten by a lion. Sharks have been around for a lot longer than us and they do what they they've done for hundreds of millions of years. They patrol the shore line looking for pray. If you go and surf in a place where there is pray and you look or act like you are pray, then you run the risk of been attacked like pray. Dont get me wrong, it is a disgrace that this man died. But that is a risk you take when you practice the sport. Its not the man's fault, nor the shark. It just nature. One is the predator the other is the pray. Simple as that.

More people died every year from lightning strikes than from shark attacks. So what do you think? Someone should go up there and beat the lightning out of where it doesnt belong as well?

who cares about the stupid shark he needs to die and maybe eat you before he dies, maybe the family of this poor victim should put you out there with the shark, let him have his way with you then kill the shark.

JB, I know its been mentioned a couple times already but I still feel the need to bring up just how dumb your comment sounds. All of it.

Beat the fish back from where they don't belong.

Beat the fish back to where they belong...in the ocean? Yeah, that's where they live. They belong wherever they are out there.

If people, animals, stay where they belong everything would be better.

So with this logic then surfers, swimmers, even fisherman, ect have no right to be in the ocean. You don't see sharks coming on land...unless its a land shark...but that's an exception to the rule.

Example Terrorist belong in the Middle East. :)

Terrorists don't belong anywhere...I thought that was the point of the war...but hey, I guess you are the smart one here.

Sharks don't belong at beaches where people surf.

And back to your first point...you have just made it full circle. Congratulations.

Clevella and Karla-Have you no compassion for this man and his family? Of course it's a risk when one goes into the ocean. People who do go in are aware of the slight risk yet they go in because they love the sport. The populations of the oceans have been dying for years because of all kinds of pollution. I am not an expert but overpopulation of the oceans creatures seems an impossibility at this point in time. Pollution of our planet is detrimental for humans or any other creature on this planet. Pollution because of the ignorance of man I can agree with. But to try to infer this man was ignorant etc. for being in the ocean is heartless at best.

" Great white sharks are COMMON off that part of the coast." The man was obviously a risk-taker and paid the ultimate price for his risk-taking behavior. I feel sorry for his family and friends. The shark has no conscience-only a need for food and self preservation. When faced with hunger or starvation, humans will eat other humans if necessary to survive. If you invade another person's home you stand a chance of being shot. If you invade a vicious animal's territory you should know that you could be killed and eaten alive.

Sharks don't belong at beaches where people surf.

dumbest fking comment ever.

6 to 10 people die W-O-R-L-D-W-I-D-E each year on average from sharks,many more people than that die each year from falling in the bathtub. We should TOTALLY ban bathing as it is a risk. There was a pretty young girl surfing that lost her arm to a shark attack and she is surfing again. Any sport or activity has risks and if you think that surfer in Australia,the shark capital of the world,didn't know the risk you are stupid. He died doing something he loved,let it be!

Do I have compassion for the surfer? Yes. He died doing something he enjoyed. I also have compassion for sharks, and all creatures. Reading these posts one would think the shark had an agenda besides hunger.

But from the comments, one can plainly see the arrogance of human beings. Many of the posts deride me for a lack of compassion for the surfer, but none of those same people are have any compassion for the shark. To them, the only animal that deserves respect seems to be them. They can't even respect other human beings, much less a shark in its natural habitat, trying to make a living.

So again I say, if one human out of nearly seven billion (and rising!) gets eaten by a shark, good for the shark! At least this mans death was not a waste. He was enjoying the ocean that he loved, and giving something back to the ecosystem. Not a bad way to go. Back to nature.

It is really amazing, the bite force. There is a problem with making a board a lethal weapon. They used to be made of wood. You got hit by one of them you were old cold or worse.

It is a powerful bite indeed. Its over 18kN (thats over 18,000 newtons) or about 4,100 lbf (pound force) per bite. Quite a strong nib.

Kudos for common sense :-)

Too funny Ron!!!

I guess they want to interview it and ask if its still hungry.

I guess you are just making a joke -- but the point is that the Dept of Fisheries there are making sure that it is safe for others to go back in the water. Water we "share' with other living things -- that actually live there.

The shark is still in the water. case closed.

Actually he turned himself in to the proper authorities after they let him talk to Olivia Newton John via satellite.

Shark Area = Ocean...OK!

If the area had previous shark attacks why would you want to surf there? The shark had a job to do. EAT. They commonly choose areas to feed in repeatedly. Stay out of the feeding areas.

lilhatchet: A few years ago I recall about all the shark attacks along the west side of the Florida coast. With your though process you would suggest that NOBODY go in the water along Fl's Gulf coast. Shark attacks vs sharks feeding are often two different things when it involves humans. Most people that are attacked are not killed, normally it's a one bite deal.

Very well said. Nicely composed.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! Finally someone with some sense, you are exactly right, the shark obviously knew once he attacked that this wasn't food or else the man would have been totally taken. I can't stand it when people act like humans are entitled to everything, when we go in the ocean we are in shark territory and taking that risk. The shark was only doing it's job trying to find food to stay alive. We need to protect them, they are dwindling. That said, I feel deeply saddened that this man lost his life, my condolences to his family and friends.

Yes, I totally agree with the last few posting before me. I am sad for this mand and his loved ones left behind, but this is a shark. This is what sharks do and it is not it's fault -- it is its way.

More reason to know what yoy are doing when you are out there -- and as some have said the Ocean = the jungle -- there are large creatures there that can do harm to you . Knowledge is pwer. Be smart. Be careful.

Shady-1840964

JB, your a land loving pansie ... we know what we're up against, we just don't care.

That's one of the side effects of having a surfboard come down on top of your head once too often.

All jokes aside - it's just something you have to learn to deal with if you want to surf. I made that decision 20 years ago - I'm still here. My day may come but at least I loved the life that I lived. The only thing I can tell you is to stay on the beach and enjoy your Corona.

Or someone who accepts the risks in life and isn't afraid to risk it as a riskless life is boring?

Very good Grasshopper - " A man that doesn't have the courage to take risks in life will never accomplish anything" Mohammad Ali

I used to spend many hours in the ocean each day surfing. I saw sharks at least once a week. It was only the larger ones that would get me out of the water.

Me too Wakehead - got ran out of my local break in Lake Worth Florida by a 12 to 13 foot Bull - scary @!$%# man

This is the most stupid comment I have ever read. Learn some grammar!

kirstin---read the follow-up comment i corrected! the only stupid comment is the ones others think they have to correct their grammer on!

WTF did you just say?

ROFLMAO

The only thing more hilarious than the original message was the rejoinder....

I am gonna click on his name and read everything he has ever written ...LOL LOL

docphoto...sorry to say but your follow up comment was still laden with grammatical errors.

I strongly believe proper grammar and spelling are a must. I think a lot of people have lost sight of the importance...

ummm ....i read all his other messages and while still rife with grammatical errors and spelling mistakes they don't seem all that bad.

Plus the guys says he is a retired marine.

May be it's just that he is old and not all that good at typing. My Dad does the same thing. I mean he has a pretty good command over the language both written and spoken but sit him down with a keyboard and he starts writing like a 2nd grader or probably worst.

"Plus the guys says he is a retired marine."

Well written.

yes i am a retired marine 72- 93. never was good at typing,but what the hell can't please everyone. i do have a few years on me,so sorry for the spelling! but the question i asked was basically does the shape of the board now compared to the old wooden boards of my day matter. i see where a blogger answered the question! so suck it up on the spelling and get over it!

Semper Fi

n. Las Vegas,NV.

docphoto : yes sir !

No disrespect intended.

Yeah, but he can surf like a mother@!$%#er!

sorry about that;was wooden surf boards better agaist shark attacks verses the new boards of today? does the shark zero in on boards when they see them;does something attrack them to it?

No unfortunately if they want to attack it doesn't matter what your riding - your toast. Wet suits and dangling feet don't help either - plus morning and evening sessions are the riskiest times to surf.

shady---- thank you

That was tongue in cheek. Get a clue. Geesh.

@Steve-2221010

I too made the mistake of feeding the troll. People like Randy attempt to leave sarcastic comments, which are hard to tell with just text on the screen, and then they proceed to tell people to get a clue. With sheer number of idiotic comments on the internet, it is hard to distinguish who is being sarcastic and who is simply being a moron.

Randy - It is my considered opinion that the finer points of writing such irony, sarcasm, simile, metaphor, litotes etc are usually lost on the majority of the newsviners. But for those of us who happen to get it, it's a welcome respite from the often cynical and angry posts here. :-)

@MrIndia

"it's a welcome respite from the often cynical and angry posts here. :-)"

Quote MrIndia:

"ROFLMAO

The only thing more hilarious than the original message was the rejoinder....I am gonna click on his name and read everything he has ever written ...LOL LOL"

Nothing is more exhilarating then pointing out of the short comings of others huh?

I don't get your point....

what do you not understand ??? You were talking about how others leave cynical and/or angry comments. I was pointing out that you obviously enjoy pointing out the short comings of others. (especially those who were not as fortunate in regards to education and grammar)

(especially those who were not as fortunate in regards to education and grammar)

I totally agree with you, it is the world of the aquatic, and those that live there, not those who choose to go invade their world.

Greg - ah okay ...yes so my post may have been a little mean or even elitist but certainly not angry or cynical. Also - i am not a saint. I am not claiming that i have never been angry or cynical.

If you think about it to much while your surfing - it ruins it. Surfing is my life - I don't care about sharks because it's outta sight outta mind.

Surfers don't affect family safety either way, I'd guess, as far as sharks or no sharks.

The worry is running a board into someone, I can see, but there are usually designated beaches surfers hit and other stretches for families so it works out.

So when I take all factors into account-I went surfing at Sebastian Inlet(the lightning capital of the world) which is also FULL of sharks LAST FRIDAY (the 12th) I guess I should feel REALLY LUCKY then. BTW, whoever it is that thinks sharks are going extinct should probably come hand out with us for awhile. I'm quite sure they'd see that sharks ARE NOT anywhere close to extinction. Not even endangered! I can promise you that any beach I'm at on any given day there are 10 times the number of sharks than surfers/divers within a 1 mile radius.

fldiver1

I also live in Florida and frequent the beaches. I am also what is considered an expert in sharks. Simply for the sake of education and not to be argumentative; I wished to point out that there are close to 400 different species of sharks and many of them are close to extinction, while several more are considered endangered worldwide.

The fact is that there are many animals responsible for the death or injury of human beings, but most of those animals do not elicit the same type of fear that sharks do. The same can be said for natural occurances like lightning.

Sebastian Inlet is one of my favorite places BTW, I swam with dolphins there, and yes I too saw sharks in the water. I don't surf (no balance) but I understand that most surfers are not only aware of the dangers but are educated about sharks and other ocean dangers to a greater extent than many people, so again understand I mean no insult. Just clearing up misinformation.

some things can definitely be avoided, you are not born to be in the ocean where the sharks live, so if you do go in that water, make sure you have decided that you are shark food or food for any other living thing in all that water.

Unless you run in to the Charles Bronson of sharks and he's hell bent on revenge.

Huh? Sarah P. is that you? Also to, I didn't understand your post; you betcha.

you're kidding right?

He will be back in 2016 to feed again..

Brilliant CARMEN

ron-1902603, don't worry, we'll all be dead by 2012 anyway, so no worries about the shark coming back....

LOL.

I forgot about that.

Not all of us. Only those who use the Mayan calendar.

That's what i said 17 post ago.

So,I couldn't agree with you more.

Put little Bush hooks on it.

John McCain is the reason 48 million people voted for Obama.