As someone who lives in a landlocked state about five hundred miles from the coast, I rarely have the opportunity to kayak in the ocean, but I will jump at the chance any time I get close to saltwater. With that being said, It does not matter how many times I have ventured out and returned safely, there is always a small fear in the back of my mind, and that fear is sharks.
The worry of shark encounters outweighed the enjoyment I had fishing, and that did not sit right with me at all. I decided to take a couple of hours and learn all I could about sharks and kayaking in the ocean. Here is what I have learned.
Do kayaks attract sharks?
No, sharks are not at all attracted to kayaks. Sharks are opportunistic feeders who feed mostly on fish and small invertebrates with the larger species feeding on seals, sea lions, and other large marine mammals. Since sharks evolved long before humans existed, we are not part of their normal diet, meaning that the majority of shark attacks are caused by curiosity or confusion. A shark may be passing by and notice the kayak paddling in the water and decide to investigate by bumping but they are not at all attracted to a kayak.
What are the odds of a shark attack on a kayaker?
Today’s media would lead you to believe that shark attacks are on the rise all across the board, but that simply is not true. Shark attacks on humans are rising steadily as beach attendance increases, which means that they are not getting any worse.
In 2017 the International Shark Attack File (ISAF) investigated 155 attacks reported worldwide with 18 being on a motorized or non-motorized vessel. What that tells us is that shark attacks on kayaks are so seldom that they are grouped with all other forms of watercraft. However, that makes it impossible to gauge the exact number of bites on kayaks. It’s also reassuring to know that there were no fatal shark attacks in the United States in 2017. If you would like to read more about this study, you can do so here: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/shark-attacks/yearly-worldwide-summary/
There is no reason to let your fear of shark attacks hold you back. Here are some fun statistics to show how incredibly rare shark attacks actually are, especially fatal ones.
From 2001 to 2010, there were 364 fatalities resulting from an attack by a dog. In the same span of time, there were 11 fatal shark attacks. (United States)
From 1959 to 2010, there were 1,970 killed by lightning, while only 26 people were victims of fatal shark attacks. (United States)
The odds of being the victim a fatal shark attack are 1 in 3,748,067
The odds of being fatally struck by lightning are 1 in 79,746
The odds of being involved in a fatal car crash are 1 in 84
Dangerous Sharks a Kayaker May Encounter
Did you know that there are about 375 identified species of sharks while less than 15 are considered particularly dangerous?
| Species | Size | Location | Danger Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great White Shark | Stretching 18+ feet and weighing 1500-2500 tons. | Found in temperate waters worldwide, generally close to shore | Very high: These sharks are large, violent, and proficient killers. These sharks will throw occupants from the kayak with minimal effort. |
| Tiger Shark | Spanning 20-25 feet and weighing 850-1500 pounds. | Found in temperate and tropical climates, these sharks are found nearly everywhere worldwide. | High. Tiger sharks are aggressive and famous for eating anything and everything, even inorganic substances. |
| Bull Shark | Extending beyond 11 feet and weighing about 200 pounds. | Found in tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate climates. Bull sharks can survive in freshwater. | High. Although the Bull Shark is small, it is very aggressive and has a broad range of habitats. |
| Shortfin Mako Shark | Averaging 10 feet in length and weighing 130-200 pounds. | Found worldwide in temperate and tropical climates. | Very low. This shark is often mistaken for a small Great White, but is not aggressive unless provoked. |
Prevention
They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, who am I to disagree? While not always effective, there are measures you can take and items you can purchase to assist in keeping the sharks at bay; or at least provide a small peace of mind.
- Avoid areas known for sharks, do not go around looking for trouble.
- If you must paddle in areas known for sharks, make sure that you are adequately prepared so that you are not caught off-guard.
- Always kayak with a buddy.
- If you are fishing, as I often do with my kayak, do not hang your catches of the kayak. This is an easy way to keep them cool and fresh but may also attract sharks. Investing in a small cooler is recommending.
There are also some products you can purchase that allegedly repel sharks, however, there are no clinical trials to back up this claim. If you still would like the peace of mind that comes with owning something that may possibly repel sharks then you may wish to pick one of these items up. Beware, they can get a little pricey.
The different types of shark repellent include: electrical, magnetic, acoustic, and spray repellent.
Are sharks attracted to certain colors?
I have read many stories of anglers painting the hull of their kayak to resemble that of an Orca (also known as a Killer Whale). The thought process behind this idea is that the Orca is one of few natural predators of sharks. However, this does not work.
When a shark uses its eyes to identify potential prey, they will mostly identify shadows and motions. If the silhouette you create on top of the water resembles a distressed sea lion, the shark may decide to get closer to investigate.
Rather you paint your kayak to resemble a natural predator or florescent pink with green polka dots, it doesn’t make a difference. Sharks have very poor eyesight and often rely more on other senses like smell, hearing, and the sensory receptors along their sides. There is not a certain color or pattern that attracts or deters sharks.
What To Do If You Encounter a Shark
You have taken every possible step to avoid a run-in with a shark but find yourself faced with one, here are some tips on how to handle the situation.
- Keep in mind that sharks are predators of opportunity and will always attempt to remain hidden. Simply spotting a shark does not mean that it has any intention of harming you, it could have revealed itself by mistake or is simply curious. If you are attacked by a shark, you will most likely not see it coming.
- If a curious shark gets a little too close for comfort, do not attempt to harm it. Smacking the shark with your paddle may provoke it (statistically, about 30% of shark attacks are provoked). Take your paddle and bang it on the deck of the kayak to show the shark that you are not prey.
- If the shark nips at your kayak, then you may want to smack it with your paddle. This is the last resort as it can anger the shark, but it may be your only option. You will know the difference between a nibble of curiosity and a full-fledged predatory attack.
- Never approach a feeding shark. If a shark has attacked or is feeding on something near you, paddle calmly but swiftly and get about 1200 feet away from where the feeding is taking place. If you spot a dead mammal in the water such as sea lions or whales, leave the area immediately. A shark will defend its meal if it identifies you as a threat.
- Remain calm. Easily the most important part in an emergency situation, this is no different. Remaining calm will allow you to think clearly and react in the best possible way, panic is not your friend!
- Stay in your kayak. Believe it or not, your kayak is the safest place for you during a shark attack. If a shark is biting at your kayak, you either angered it or it is curious; either way it will most likely let go of your kayak after it realizes that it isn’t something they should be biting.
- If you are thrown from your kayak, do not panic. Swim calmly away from your kayak and to the closest way out of the water. Panicked actions will entice the shark to follow through with the attack, make sure not to splash. If you are too far from land or another vessel then your only option may be to return to the kayak after the shark is gone.
History of Shark Attacks on Kayakers
Although incredibly rare, there are documented shark attacks on kayakers. One story, in particular, described the attack as ‘Jaws’-like after a fifteen foot Great White attacked a fifteen-year-old girl off the coast of Australia in 2017. The so-called attack lasted for approximately 30 seconds according to the girl’s father. Her father stated that the shark was thrashing about in the water and doubts that she would have survived just ten seconds longer. The girl managed to escape with only minor cuts and bruises.
Sharks have been hunting for millions of years, which means that they are very proficient killers. The fact that this shark allegedly attacked the kayak and was uninterested with the person on top of it, I think it is safe to assume the shark either made a mistake or was confused. This event is undoubtedly scary, but I wouldn’t compare it to a movie such as ‘Jaws’ in any way. You can read more about this attack here: https://nypost.com/2017/10/24/teen-kayaker-describes-terrifying-jaws-like-shark-attack/
Another interesting attack happened the same year in Santa Cruz, a man thrown from his kayak by a Great White Shark and then left alone. The man stated that he never saw the shark again and was sure the attack was by mistake. Starting to see a trend here? You can read more about this here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/07/12/great-white-shark-attacks-kayak-off-coast-santa-cruz/471077001/
There are dozens of articles and videos to look up regarding shark attacks on kayakers and they all share a common theme, confusion. Don’t let an irrational fear of sharks keep you from enjoying the freedom of kayaking on the ocean.