Yesterday a friend and I decided it was time for a "Backline Diaries" surf session. Backline Diaries are were we can talk about matters of the heart in a manly environment while performing a manly activity. The spot chosen for the surf being Cave Rock. We had dilly dallied a fair bit so by the time we arrived the wind was kicking into third gear and the tide was dropping. We lolly gagged some more so by the time the inconsistent good looking waves convinced me it was time to get wet the wind had shifted another gear and I had to use all powers of persuasion to get my friend in the water. All tales of look its fun, you wont hit the rocks, there are no sharks, only a 40 minute session. I even offered to buy him a Green Dolphin mega toasted sandwich, considering my beyond stretched budget at the moment that was a big call. Luckily he declined stating "I want healthy food".
Suited up and negotiating the rocks next to the tidal pool I start hearing his screams. "This is scary" followed by screams of panic and fear as the white wash swept him off the rocks and into a tiny gully which was to his benefit in the end as we paddled out in two minutes. And then I broke it to him, "now I will tell you about going back in. The tide is dropping and you cannot just ride a wave in, you can only go so far and then you have to walk back in over the rocks".
Now I don't want to taint his 'Redemption & Justice' reputation so I will admit that when the waves get beyond 8ft and into the sketchy realm he is one of the very few who do not develop and acute case of tennis elbow or repetitive strain syndrome. He does have back issues but forgets them for a taste of the punchier action and then goes home and doesn't walk for two days with a legitimate excuse.
Not 10 minutes into our session he states "what is that" while pointing to a swell bump. It was a chip packet. But what I didn't say was what else I had seen. Whilst land lubbing and lolly gagging I had seen a pod of dolphins folicking 30 minutes before but they were a good distance from what I had seen. For fear of causing a stampede and missing out on the few good waves on offer I felt the obligation to investigate the shadow once or twice more. Okay decision made it's a shark. It didn't buzz us circle us or even try give us a fright, it was further than spitting distance. But still I knew if my friend saw it his reaction would be the least desirable one, so I paddle over and calmly say "don't want to panic you but go in". He says what and again I say as calm as if it were a sunrise "just go in". Thats all I needed to say. Before I even considered a wave in he had beached himself on the sand with little regard for his board which is now missing a fin and has a new hole all while I wanted to stay out and get closer but figured I best not upset the visitor so calmly turned and went it riding the wave all while looking back wishing I was still out there.
I can't tell you what species of shark it was but I can say it was not a Great White. Had it actually popped up right next to us I would like to say my reaction would have been the same. I love the sharks and hopefully they will continue to love me.
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