With all the recent news of shark sighting in Sothern California, many people are asking themselves if this behavior is normal and if it is still safe to participate in marine recreation. The answer is yes and yes!

Many experts describe shark “hotspots” as areas that experience SHORT-TERM influx of juvenile shark. “Once the sharks find a beach they like, they tend to stay about 40 days. Then they’ll disappear for a while, before showing up at another hot spot” -Laylan Connelly, OC Register. Just like Laylan, Jack Hayworth, SUPtheMAG claims sharks “frequently appear in “hot spots” such as San Onofre and Sunset Beach, before suddenly disappearing to other waters.” The gist of what Laylan and Jack are saying is that this is normal behavior and is only temporary.

Social media has only added to the shark hysteria. Say 20-25 years ago, if there was a large influx of sharks in Southern California, how would everybody know? Between the media blasts, cheap underwater cameras, and new drone technology it would seem impossible not to capture even the stealthiest of sea creatures. Also consider the higher volume of eyes on the beach over the last 20 years. It is very possible that they have been attending these hotspots for years but have remain unnoticed until recently.

If you still can’t shake the thought of sharing the beach with our white-tipped-dorsal-friends then let me offer a median to help put your mind at ease without withholding any opportunities. George Burgess, renowned shark behaviorist and director of the Florida Program for Shark Research asserts “that if you were to go into the water in a region known for just about any species of shark a standup paddle board would be a well-considered option.” Statistics back up Burgess’ assertion. On Hawaii’s “Incident List” the injury report proceeding shark attacks on surfers claim “severe lacerations,” “loss of leg” and “deep puncture wounds.” But in each case where the victim was on a standup paddleboard the injuries reads: “No injury. Shark bit tail of board.”

You can’t control the ocean, but you can control what you ride on it!