LEAVING
A
PERFECTLY
GOOD
BOAT
. . .
. . . and jumping into a
cage to swim with GWs is something that few people probably see
themselves doing at any point in their lives. Others would probably
consider such an event as the highlight of their time on this little
blue marble we call Earth and guess which category I fall into??
To see a GW is an unforgettable
experience, from within the confines of your cell (shark cage) you begin to feel the unease
of your surroundings. As the GW approaches the knots and intensity of what you are
seeing begins to raise alarm bells deep within your brain. You feel so insignificant as the
GW sails by you with the greatest ease, you wonder what is going through those dark black eyes
as it looks at you! Your instinct is too want to get out of the water, but that would represent a risk.
You have to understand that these animals do not prey upon HUMANS, if they did the amount
of attacks would be a lot higher for sure. More people die each year from accidents involving driving into
a Deer. So are we right to fear this animal?...
The GW while armed with an array of senses well beyond our own is a curious animal.
It mouths items it does not understand, that is where we fall victim, the human body can not withstand
the kind of investigative tactics used by these sharks. So not to get off track viewing them from within a cage is safe!
Even when the sharks bump or bite the cage, like I said they are trying to figure out what you are.
The GW is the only Apex Predator to not be tamed or kept in captivity long term, so far the limit has been 6 months and this seems to be the limit. This magnificent animal is protected
here in the US as well as Australia and South Africa. The biggest threat to sharks is MAN.
Around 100 MILLION sharks are killed every year, now think about that for a second...
Then understand that these sharks are killed not for meat but there fins, shark fin soup is an oriental delicacy.
The price for fins is high, which is why so many sharks are culled, they cut the fin and throw the shark alive back into the ocean to die.
The process of finning can be improved and should be regulated. Sharks are slow breeders and can not keep up with our demand.
So I urge you to help protect not only the GW which so far is not a fin victim but all sharks, our oceans need them.
To see a GW is an amazing experience you for one will never forget...........
Oh and try and see if that theme tune does not appear in your head when you see one.....
So, in order to dive
with GWs, there are several steps you must accomplish. I'm often asked
how one can dive with a GW - here's your chance to find out how!
THE
LONGEST
JOURNEY BEGINS
WITH
BUT
A
SINGLE
STEP
The first
step is deciding where you want to dive with a GW. In order to have a
successful dive, you'll need a couple of things. The first is obviously
one or more sharks and the second is water with decent visibility. GWs
can be reliably found at the Farallon Islands off San Francisco but the
water in this area is quite cold with all the visibility of beef broth.
You can see GW here but visibility is low and if you can not travel to one of the other spots
then do it here, there are GW operators in the bay area, drop me a line if you need help!
This leaves three places on
Earth that you can realistically expect a GW to appear during the course of
an ocean journey, Mexico, Australia & South Africa. The waters of the latter
countries are famous - or infamous - for being home to numerous species
of sharks, including old Whitey, and both are home to companies that
specialize in offering cage dives.
San Diego also offers outings to see the GW, it takes a boat 22 hours to Mexico and
some fantastic scenery and cool blue clear waters to meet the GW.
You need help and or info as always drop me a line, glad to help.
THROW
ANOTHER
DIVING
TOURIST
IN THE
CAGE,
MATE
I've always liked Australia
as a concept. The accent, the laid-back relaxed attitude the country
advertises, and the fact that it is the place that gave the world Olivia
Newton-John all go a long ways towards making Australia an attractive
destination. Rodney Fox, possibly the world's most famous Great White
Shark attack survivor, has made a living since his encounter by helping
others to experience the wonder of seeing the Great White in its native
environment. I'd really like to meet him and hear his stories.
However, I've heard that it
has become increasingly difficult to find GWs in Australian waters. This
would be a true cosmic joke - to travel out to Australia, meet Rodney,
and then have no sharks appear during my visit. When you put your trip
into the random hands of Mother Nature, sometimes she gives you the
short end of the stick. Rodney's website lists a 94% success rate over
30 years so I guess you just have to take your chances.
 |
| Adelaide,
in South Australia, is a popular port of those looking to search
for GWs in Australian waters. |
SOUTH
AFRICA
- LAND
OF
PURE
GW
GOODNESS
On the other hand - and the
other hemisphere, really - you have South Africa, home to Shark Alley
and one of the world's best spots to catch a glimpse of the elusive GW.
About 200km from Cape Town, the "gate to South Africa", a
channel approximately 6m deep flows between Dyer & Geyser Islands.
This channel is perfect for observing the GW and during winter/early
spring (May-October), chances for sightings can be as high as 100%.
Several GW operators can be found here and all offer similar deals.
Apex Predators offers great packages and you can find more info on them by going to
the GW Trips section of the site
