Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Treading Water

Do you know what I hate? I hate treading water. After reading the post about dog attacks I thought I'd share this fear with you. When we were young my parents used to always take us kids to the beach and we'd really enjoy swimming and getting tossed and splashed by the surf. In fact, once in, we never ever wanted to get out of the water. However, ever since I saw Jaws, I just can't find the strength to get into the water. The thought of a shark just terrifies me and I can't explain the fear that it brings on to me. The worse thing about all this, is that I grew up and live in one of the nicest places on earth, along the Great Ocean Road, at Lavers Hill, Australia. And I have to add, there've been many shark attacks along the Australian coastline.

Sent in by Kylie.....Lavers Hill, Australia

Thanks for sending in your fear Kylie and yes I'm sure that many will share this with you but again while sharks are very terrifying and while there have been a number of shark attacks, like the earlier post about vicious dogs is there another side to this story? Sharks are beautiful animals and have survived for a long, long time. I really do appreciate their beauty.....

but for some reason, it's just when they're above water as shown in the following awesome photographs kindly supplied by Wade, diver and diving instructor, of ScubaCulture, that they terrify me. And by the way, if you're game and want to get a close up view simply click on the photos.

They are truly amazing shots of the Great White shark taken near Dyer Island and as Wade of ScubaCulture says "I think these shots are pretty awesome, really get a feel for the amazing power these beautiful animals have."

If you'd like to see more great photographs of these beautiful under water creatures taken during shark dives along the coast of South Africa and including dives with the Tiger Sharks then visit ScubaCulture.

If you're a serious adventure seeker or after the thrill of a lifetime, then you might like to think about diving amongst these giants of the water. Just head down to places like Aliwal Shoal, regarded as being one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, or Protea Banks, known as being one of the best places in the world to dive with sharks.

18 comments:

Mostskillz said...

Oh come on, those shark pictures are fake right? The guy's petting the shark!?

I'm astounded by the pix...

Anonymous said...

The pics are amazing but because they dropped the camera when they jumped 6 feet back, the don't show the next "snap" no pun intended where the guy with the hat looses his arm right up to his shoulder!!!! Would be a bit too gruesome to show I guess but then again, the brutal dog attack pics are shown further down!

Andrea (Southern California)

Mostskillz said...

I guess those pix are real because a friend of mine confirmed that he'd seen something like that on the Discovery Channel before.

As we all know, whatever is on television has got to be real! =P

Anonymous said...

Yeah you must be right about that mostskillz, if it's on tele in must be true. Sometime ago I saw a program about how NASA faked landing on the moon and they showed how it was all done behind cameras in closed doors within a movie studio. The US did all this just to play one-upmanship on the Russians. May be this thing is just a blow-up doll. Or may be it's just some clever photoshop geek taking the mickey out of us. Whatever, they're awesome pix alright. Let me tell you I took a step back when I mouse-clicked on them and enlarged them to get a closer view of the hand to see if the Great White was real.

Dalila....London

Anonymous said...

Hi all

The pics are legit, I promise! No missing limbs either :)

These pics were taken at a place called Dyer Island. If you can find a documentary called Air Jaws take a look. It shows the White sharks "breeching" (jumping out of the water to catch their prey)

Why do they rise up out of the water like in the pics? Well White sharks are visual hunters and will often lift their head out of the water to have a look. How do you get to touch them? It's all about timing and yeah not everyone should try it, the guy in the pic has been working with sharks for many many years.

So yeah, the pics are real :) Check out http://www.apexpredators.com/ for more.

Any questions pelase post them here or send them in to Jana and I will do all I can to answer them or point you to someone who can.

Best wishes!
Wade

Jana Vent said...

Thanks Wade....

fin said...

There is such a small chance of getting bit by a shark in the water. They're not that interested in people!

mwgrl5 said...

I know it seems off topic, sharks, but I'm still thinking about the original "hate." I hate treading water too. Not because of sharks, but because I'm not very buoyant. Treading water is something I hate!

prying1 said...

re: Protea Banks, known as being one of the best places in the world to dive with sharks. -

Shouldn't that say "FOR SHARKS"?

And is it for their best interest or ours that we should be doing this?

Unknown said...

Those pics are awesome. I've had the creepy not so pleasurable expierience of being in the water when a great white made an appearence. I was not in a boat. Very uncomfortable.

Jim Big Toe said...

Great post. I’ve never really though about sharks while in the ocean, but like the great white shark I also enjoy eating things that are in it. Mmmm…. Seafood.

Maritza said...

Fabulous! Too bad I can't swim...

Jana Vent said...

I'm with you mwgrl5 and maritza....swimming to me is like trying to stay alive in water....lol.

Jana Vent said...

OMG jenn. In the water when a great white appears.....not for me thank you. Only the drycleaner and I would have known the colour of my swimsuit after that if it were me let me tell you.....heck I am my own drycleaner lol.

Jana Vent said...

That's a deep one prying1. Im not at all sure but I think its a very subtle difference. I wouldn't mind someone more learned than I to explain this one.

Kabooke Quantum Fighter said...

fantastic post and great pics! i love great whites! i am going in july to south africa to wrestle one at seal island. yeaaahhhh!!!!

Jana Vent said...

Hey KQF will ya take some pics and shoot them over so we can update this post....I think the secret (check the pic)is to hang on tight with one hand before you tap the great whites with the other.

wmc said...

wtf, is this real ? Not Jaw returns right ?