Cody  Ells 

Throughout My life I've spent many days and countless amazing moments in the beautiful and mysterious ocean. When I was about 5 years old my father pushed me into my first wave on the beach in Mexico. Ever since that moment I have been addicted to riding waves and playing in the sea. Though it wasn’t till recently, about 3 years ago when I began to avidly start surfing again.   

 

I think that the art of surfing is an excellent hobby. You build muscle strength and stamina by paddling. Surfing allows me to set free from whatever else in life is nagging at me, and most importantly it is one of the most fun things there is to do.

 

I love being in the water because I think it is relatively very safe. I have fallen on large waves and been held underwater for close to 30 seconds at a time; but I have never in my life been seriously injured (knock on wood). Once you learn the technique of crashing on a surfboard, the water isn’t really going to hurt you, its one of the most forgiving surfaces there is.

           

However, there are many other larger and more vicious creatures that call the ocean home. Recent shark attacks in the Pacific Ocean and especially near the Hawaiian islands have brought a small fear into the back of my mind. I never before gave second thought to large creatures or sharks while I was submerged in the sea. But as of lately, some kind of change has caused these kings of the sea to become more violent.

 

According to Hawaii.Gov in the past two years there have been 18 total shark attacks in the Hawaiian Islands. Mostly all of these have been tiger sharks estimated in the 8-12 foot range. Recently, four in the past month, including one fatality of a woman in Maui. There is definitely a cause that is forcing these sharks to hunt for food more viciously than recorded ever before. <http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/sharks/shark-incidents/incidents-list/>

 

As for myself, I plan to be more alert while in the water this winter. There are ways I believe to make yourself less vulnerable to being seen as prey:

• Always swim in a group, make sure you are not the closest one to the open water;) Make sure the shark doesn’t see you first as he is wandering in from the depths of the sea.

• Don't wander too far from shore. Especially if there is no one else out that far.

• Avoid the water at night. Also stay close to shore if the waters are turbid or cloudy.

• Get out of the water if your bleeding. I heard somewhere that sharks are attracted to blood.

• Don't go into waters containing sewage. Stay away from channel entrances to harbors or areas where sharks might have a large abundance of food.

• Have a positive mindset. Be calm and one with the ocean. I think sharks are attracted to things they are not used to seeing, so be normal and fluid while in the ocean.

• Lastly, keep your head on a swivel and be ready to take on that beast if one ever decides to test you. I recently heard a guy gouged a sharks eye out to get it to let go, if you can. Do that.