CA Surfer Whacked By 15 Foot Great White Shark Off Huntington Beach.
From Pacific Coast Shark News, March 7, 2008:
On March 7, 2008 Thomas Larkin was surfing with two friends. He recounted the following; “I was surfing a 6’6” Avisco (carbon fiber) Surf Prescriptions Bat Tail Quad. I paddled out at Dog Beach near Huntington Cliffs around 7:10 in the morning at a pretty full high tide.
<snip>
I was waiting for a set for about 5 minutes when I felt a jolt down on the tail of my board, immediately followed by violent bubble cascade, which sunk the board down about another 8 inches (see photograph). I didn’t really get what was going on as quickly as I should have, but as soon as it begun it had ended and I was apparently alone again. A wave popped up, I paddled into it but pearled because of the water in the nose of my board, I quickly got back on and paddled into the whitewater of the next wave and boogie boarded it to the beach where I emptied the board through the apparent bite mark.” The diameter of the bite suggests an adult White Shark in excess of 15 feet in length. Caution should be exercised when utilizing this location for your ocean water activities. Please report any shark sighting, encounter, or attack to the Shark Research Committee.
15 footer? He is one lucky sumbee!
THE BEAST ATTACK-ANALYSIS.
1. Setup: Dog Beach appears not to have any river mouths nearby and there was no mention of marine mammals in the area, so what the shark was doing there is anybody’s guess.
2. Attack Prompt: Mr. Larkin’s first mistake, however, was to surf alone.
I was meeting two friends there, Matt Donoghue and Craig Angel. The current was moving around a lot of water, and both of them were on longboards, so about 20 minutes into the surf I was tired of paddling over to them on my shortboard, and was surfing pretty much alone. There were two bodyboarders about 100 yards north of me, and I was almost due west of the ramp walkway. At about 8:00 AM, I caught my best wave of the session, and even though Matt and Craig had already gotten out, I wanted one more. I paddled back out and was sitting in the lineup alone, with the closest surfers about 200 yards south, and the bodyboarders were inside and north.
He mentions that two friends set up nearby but he allowed himself to drift away, and after they got out of the water he continued to surf. Big error: lone swimmers and surfers are much more prone to attack.
3. Attacker: Mr. Larkin received a solid hit to the rear of his board. Bite impressions suggest a very large White Shark at around 15 foot. This is what a shark of that size looks like (this fish was caught accidentally in a commercial net and the carcass donated to biologists for dissection):
Stats:
Weight: 3,500 pounds.
Development: Adolescent. Sexually mature.
Temperament: Typical teenager. Repeated observation suggests adolescent White Sharks are impetuous and tend to strike unknown targets more often than their calmer, larger brethren.
Range: Radio Tagging of Pacific Coast white sharks shows a seasonal migration. They hauntthe northern coast in the fall for the annual seal breeding season, head south in the winter to the Baha Shore, Hawaii and a very deep spot in the open ocean named “The Shark Cafe”, but nobody knows why. They return to coastal areas in the spring and migrate behind fish runs as far up as the Gulf of Alaska in summer. This Shark was most likely beginning its spring run, working its way up along the coast.
4. Attack Style: Mr. Larkin apparently never saw the shark. This is not unusual because the attack came from behind. White Sharks are ambush predators and choose to sneak up on their prey. It is quite likely that this fish had been stalking Mr. Larkin for a period of time before the attack, trying to decide if he was food or not.
The attack probably came across and just below the surface. Again typical for strikes on Surfers. It was undoubtedly a test-bite, meaning the fish mouthed the board to see if it was food. A full-speed feeding strike would have knocked board and surfer right out of the water. A mouth full of carbon-fiber seems to have convinced the shark that his prey was inedible, hence no repeat attack.
5. Conclusion: random, semi-predatory attack. Repeated encounters in the area likely due to the season, but probably not attacks. DO NOT SURF ALONE.
gurusteve
E the Wise
DFV the Scribe
Andre the Defiant
Wes
pg - your humble messenger
thompaine
Drowning Creek
Sting the Away
Why was that shark killed?
Was it for it’s jaws? If so that’s absolutely barbaric. I hate to sound like a greenpeace hippy freak but that just isn’t right.
When you swim in the ocean you make a conscious choice to enter a domain where you are an inferior animal. If you get attacked too bloody bad it’s out of your control. But killing an animal so that you can pose and take a souvenir from it is wrong.
Scott
July 3, 2008 at 8:04 am
it looks like it was already dead an that dude looks like sum1 who’s supposed 2 do that…
asdfj;lknoiawer
June 26, 2009 at 8:17 am
I 100% agree! Do we kill human giants just to look at thier jaws. Just because we have the power and ability to kill such a majestic animal doesn’t mean we should.
Kristen
August 6, 2009 at 7:25 pm
If you’re a meat eater than your argument is invalid.
cfff
August 21, 2009 at 7:25 am
I agree with the previous comment, this picture is sick and you should be ashamed of yourself. Anyone entering the ocean, does so at their own risk. Sharks are predators they eat meat, if you enter the sea, where there are sharks there is a VERY slim chance “YOU MAY GET EATEN” common sense, but everytime someone gets attacked or bitten, there is a big who ha about it. We are the biggest canivores on the planet, raping the seas and the lands of their bounty, but who is there to stop us?? Once again, another shark killed for nothing. sick and sad.
Shana
July 4, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I hate to agree (I thought I was the only one), but that picture above is barbaric. I am deathly afraid of sharks, but I am willing to run the risk to surf in their oceans. If the guy in the picture above wrestled the shark single handedly, then ripped his jaws out, all hulk-like, then maybe (and I said “maybe”) that picture would be okay. But, for some reason I don’t think it happened that way…
Summer
July 5, 2008 at 12:27 am
Here’s a link to the story behind that photo, for those of you interested. Apparently the shark was caught in a net by a commercial fisherman by accident. He donated the carcass and it was dissected by scientists.
hairybeast
July 5, 2008 at 1:34 pm
You Guys!! Its cool that it was killed. It “whaked” a kid, there for in terms he was killed by this shark, Hun. beach \CA is filled with surfers! I am one. These sharks a supposto stay off shore. if its a mennise then it sould go.
ari
July 8, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Ari – learn how to spell.
archaeo
July 9, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Ari—you make surfers look, well, stupid. As someone who surfed quite a bit, I realized I was part of the food chain when I was in THIER home. If you surf in open water, you take your chances. Every surfer SHOULD know that. Most do. Shark populations are in decline.
I hate to see that the shark in the pic died in fishing net. Impressive creatures they are.
I had one brush my friend and nip him, we politely left his home (the water) for a while until the coast was clear.
That surfer is lucky he wasn’t killed.
Go smoke another bowl and think about it.
Drowning Creek
July 9, 2008 at 3:57 pm
This was a throw away post – a trifle – why is it getting such big numbers? One theory – Huntington beach and environs is seeing a huge spike in White Shark encounters which the MSM resolutely refuses to report on, so where you gonna go? The Beast posted this article scant weeks before the tragic mauling off San Diego of a marathon swimmer, followed by several deaths in Mexico. This has been a bad year for swimmers and surfers and it’s only getting started, Already off of Cape Cod in the Atlantic several attacks have been witnessed (on seals). More people will get chomped.
hairybeast
July 10, 2008 at 1:34 am
Like I posted earlier, humans have forgotten they are a part of the food chain. For whatever reasons, warmer water, decline in offshore fish populations that are normally the food of choice, sharks are coming in closer to the shores to feed.
Humans need to understand we can’t control everything. As nature changes, as it always has and will, we have to adapt.
Drowning Creek
July 10, 2008 at 9:12 am
i don’t like sharks they are scary…. but i wouldn’t kill a shark because of that…
chang
July 12, 2008 at 4:14 am
Drowning: so – the Dragon has moved near the village and he only costs us one virgin a year. That’s not so bad.
Tough on virgins, maybe, but they need to know they are part of the food chain too.
hairybeast
July 12, 2008 at 11:17 am
Wrong analogy Beast. Here’s a realistic one.
A community in India loses several villagers a year to tigers that roam the area around the village.
The villagers understand they are part of the food chain. Should the villagers track the tigers down to make sure the village is safe? Absolutely.
I never said we didn’t need to protect ourselves, but we need to remember that we are a part of the food chain. That’s my point to surfer dude. Expecting the waters to be safe is a fallacy.
A random attack is one thing that I don’t think we need to go on a shark hunt for. A series of attacks or sightings in an area is another thing.
The surfers still need to understand “you get in the water, you take your life into your own hands.” I did every time I got on a board. I do it every time I go into the wilderness or desert.
That kid that just lost his arm to a gator in Fla by swimming in a canal at night was just plain stupid. A real Darwin award runner up. I camped in the Okefenokee swamp every spring when I was I was in scouts. Shining a light across the water at night would make the hair on the back of your neck stand straight up. There was so many pairs of eyes shining back at you it was amazing. Did we jump in and go swimming at night? No way. But I often swam in it during the day. Mind you I still was very aware of what was in the water around me and knew that I was in their element not my own. I could have easily become a snack.
Drowning Creek
July 12, 2008 at 12:20 pm
ari, you’re a fucking retard – grow some nuts or something, christ
biji
July 15, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I am an avid hunter and fisherman. Also, one of my hobbies is science. In response to Drowning Creek-Even if a series of attacks occur hunting the animal would be futile. Most sharks, including the Great White, don’t stay in one place very long. The animal responsible would be hundreds to thousands of yards away after an attack. Also, in most cases the attack is a case of mistaken identity. A good example is the summers of 1920’s people were being attacked and killed on the east coast. The reason for most of the attacks was because of all the splashing that was caused in the type of swimming most popular then and most people swam with their dogs BIG NO-NO. Discover had a whole show on it during lasts Shark Week. Great Whites are to be respected they are such amazing super-predators. This is a sad photo, but it happens. And we are part of the food chain. Ari is a dumb-ass.
Beastly
July 16, 2008 at 1:12 am
Plus, I forgot, that summer inspired the movie “Jaws”. I can’t remember exactly which summer it was. All surfers be careful and look for tell-tale signs of an attack.
Beastly
July 16, 2008 at 1:15 am
i think that is terrible…..
why would yu do that tah such a fantastic creature
there is so much we dont no about sharks and there are just ppl killin them and posin with them in pictures like this i think this picture should be removed as people like me and many others who have a passion for sharks find this disturbing and that such things are going on in the world.
abbii brown
July 16, 2008 at 8:36 am
The post has been updated. This picture so many of you object to is of a shark caught accidentally in a commercial trawl net. It was being dissected.
abbi brown: in reference to your complaint “…i think this picture should be removed as people like me and many others who have a passion for sharks find this disturbing and that such things are going on in the world.”
Such things go on in the world every second. If you have ever enjoyed eating a fish, consider what had to be done to it to get it to your plate. While you are at it, consider what those sharks do to the fish and marine mammals they eat too. This is nature, not some Disney cartoon. If reality upsets you the Beast suggests you tape tinfoil over your windows, turn off the power and hunker in the dark whimpering.
Unless you’re scared of the dark too, in which case you’re just screwed, aren’t you?
hairybeast
July 16, 2008 at 11:07 am
Drowning Creek, the Beast was trying to make a different point with his analogy, although he agrees yours is very apt.
Without getting all Joseph Campbell, the Beast was looking at how our myths have changed. The fact is that in places where hunting and fishing for predators has been outright banned, people have lost the ability to manage their populations. The resulting unintended consequence has been a spike in said predator numbers with a corresponding spike in attacks on humans. They may be rare but they are more numerous by the year.
How to deal with that? Well if you don’t want to lift your ban then you have to change attitudes about attacks on humans. You have to accept that a certain number of us are going to be killed or maimed. Hawaii, for example, suffered a rash of tiger shark attacks in the 90’s. They had a shark cull and the attacks ceased. Enviros had a conniption fit, but still there is no shortage of tigers in Hawaiian waters. Attacks have started again by the way.
So we change they mythology – instead of killing the beasts we accept certain losses because “it’s their ocean”. We trade “The Lion King” for “The Dragon Knight”.
hairybeast
July 16, 2008 at 11:18 am
omfg that is so mean,i mean if it was killing people i would understand but for sport!!!!!!!!!! (*cries*) thats so mean!!!!!!! omg people if u guys keep being mean to mother nature then mother nature is gonna strike back!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and god’s gonna strike back!!!!!! i am a animal-lover so thats why im mad
sarah
July 16, 2008 at 8:28 pm
The beast is an animal lover too.
Yummy, yummy animals…
hairybeast
July 16, 2008 at 11:45 pm
In the words of the great American patroit and nuclear energy tycoon C Montgomery Burns
Oooh, so Mother Nature needs a favor?! Well maybe she should have thought of that when she was besetting us with droughts and floods and poison monkeys! Nature started the fight for survival, and now she wants to quit because she’s losing. Well I say, hard cheese.
thompaine
July 17, 2008 at 10:31 am
you guys are pretty retarded, the shark was already DEAD, STUCK IN A FISH NET. of course we should use it as research rather than just throw it away, read the article. archaeo is a little queer and prolly likes the KAK. i will go smoke another bowl thank you. surfs up Dudes
knotor1ous
July 17, 2008 at 1:47 pm
that picture is freaking awesome but i love sharks and hate to see them die but cool picture!!
John
July 18, 2008 at 12:07 pm
First of all it is illeagle to sell the jaws of a great white. Second if you dont even eat the whole fish why kill it?!
Oh
July 22, 2008 at 9:37 am
In some places it is illegal to sell White Shark Jaws, and in others it is not. The world is big and not everybody thinks the same – at least not yet.
hairybeast
July 22, 2008 at 10:28 am
owwwww
mimico
July 26, 2008 at 8:48 pm
you’re fuckin dumb for doing that. they’re on the endangered species list, dumbass!
ChiefBrody
July 31, 2008 at 7:10 am
For one, I am a environmental, conservationist and quite the shark enthusiast. At first look, I was deeply shocked and disgusted, since like most I assumed the shark was hunted down and killed for being a ‘man-eater’ or having the ‘potential’ to be one. As I read the comments, I realized this was not the case. It is horrible that sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, seals, ect are all caught in ghost-nets, become entangled and die. (Even if it was a live net, it’s still tragic). The fact that the shark was already dead, I am glad that it was utilized in a way that will eventually help the Great White Shark. As humans we’re too arrogant to leave things as they are, and we have to know why things work and if they have a purpose–otherwise we don’t care and destroy it. Research is a essential part in the Great White Sharks survival and recovery (for all sharks for that matter).
As for those people who think the ‘Great White had it coming to it’, that’s not true. As humans we are indeed at the top of the food-chain, but we are not exempt from it. You take a risk of being attacked (though we all know that the chances are very very slim) and possibly killed when you step into the ocean and into the sharks domain. It is ignorant to think “This is our area, and sharks aren’t allowed to be in here, and if they are, we have the right to kill them.” Shame on you for even thinking that. People who think like that are the reasons shark populations are plummeting. Most, if not all shark populations are down at 80% or more. Most are at serious risk of extinction.
We need to respect these great creatures, be humbled by their cunningness, their strength and their beauty. We need understanding and respect. It saddens me to hear that some are so ignorant that they do not understand that when the sharks are destroyed, our oceans are destroyed. Without sharks, there will be no life in the ocean. No one to keep the populations of fish down, no one to pick off the weak and keep them from breeding, and no one to inspire us to strive for reasons to keep the ocean alive. (Ha, I just couldn’t think of a third. There’s plenty of amazing creatures in the ocean besides Sharks =P)
Yami
Yami
August 1, 2008 at 9:40 pm
“We need to respect these great creatures, be humbled by their cunningness, their strength and their beauty. We need understanding and respect. It saddens me to hear that some are so ignorant that they do not understand that when the sharks are destroyed, our oceans are destroyed. Without sharks, there will be no life in the ocean.” i totally agree and i even have been bit by a bull shark!! We are in there territory when we set foot in the ocean, there not in ours……
derek
November 2, 2009 at 3:47 pm
“We need to respect these great creatures, be humbled by their cunningness, their strength and their beauty. We need understanding and respect. It saddens me to hear that some are so ignorant that they do not understand that when the sharks are destroyed, our oceans are destroyed. Without sharks, there will be no life in the ocean.” i totally agree and i even have been bit by a bull shark!! We are in there territory when we set foot in the ocean, there not in ours……..
derek
November 2, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I really need to re-read my stuff before I post it. =P Sorry for errors.
Yami
August 1, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Get a better life than watching Animal Planet 24/7
logician
August 4, 2008 at 9:14 am
Yay! Interesting.
funnygirl
August 7, 2008 at 5:51 am
I don’t get animal planet at home =)
Yami
August 10, 2008 at 9:31 pm
This man must be tortured and before he dies one must rip his jaws out.
It seems that it is very funny.
John
August 18, 2008 at 6:51 am
The shark thing is so farting cruel, fart you, you sick bastard.
Edited to change f-words. -Wes
FartYou
August 20, 2008 at 11:54 pm
i think its cruel for someone to be doing these shit to poor innocent sharks
its not their fault they bite they have bad eyesight and people doing things like this really make sick!
i hope that guy has a bad life!
daniela
September 1, 2008 at 1:57 pm
You people need to learn to read.
hairybeast
September 1, 2008 at 2:11 pm
You all say this, but have you ever been in the same situation? I don’t think so, so until it happens to you, shut up!
Kendra
September 11, 2008 at 7:35 pm
fuckin bastard!
snirr
September 24, 2008 at 2:18 am
sick tosser, come and try take my jaws out, ill gut you!! what did that shark do wrong? feed itself, ur on the menu in his water, like it or lump it.
m godber
September 25, 2008 at 8:23 am
thats so fucking cuntish
not right man
lara
October 12, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I think that, after a shark attack, the “culprit” is long gone, so when people go down the sea to hunt down the shark related to the attack, I’m 100% positive it’s not the same shark.I mean when you go swim in deep waters, you take a risk, so you have only yourself to blame.
mypismall
October 27, 2008 at 3:58 am
Look…I can understand people find this extremely cruel. But if this shark died by being caught in a net (which unfortunately happens, accidently), then we are going to be curious and cut it up – come on, Leonardo da Vinci cut many things, including people, to find out how we work, and we still do that today (although not that extent).
I admire sharks greatly, very powerful, rare and beautiful animals. If this shark had been hunted especially just for its jaws or unfair reputation, I would be disgusted. But if it died under different circumstances, I hope someone has taken this opportunity to find out more about them.
Maxine
November 4, 2008 at 9:16 am
great white. mmmmmm. yummy…
tobol
November 15, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I hate Sharks. they are criminal in nature. most of u forgot that those animals are part the other creatures which were made just to serve us.we should kill them if they don’t do their job>>>>>>>>.
Shark Eater
November 26, 2008 at 5:35 am
Hey!! Come on guys!! I agree with Kendra. They already said, the shark died and was donated for research! Its not like they killed him purposedly! So stop making harsh comments. Oh.. and dont forget, that lil ant you stepped on ‘accidentally’, is part of the animal world too,.. killers. Go figure.
citygal
November 26, 2008 at 6:16 pm
This guy is SOO HOT!!!!!!!!! I like brave men…..yummmmmmmmmmmy
shark eater
November 27, 2008 at 3:38 pm
dat is pimpin bro ill be chillin whith the villens
hump back wale
December 10, 2008 at 12:49 pm
There is no need to kill the top predators in the water. Great this guy can be more “manly” for removing the jaws of a great white shark…whoopdee doo. This guy is worthless. Absolutely worthless. What is he going to do with the rest of the shark? Leave it there and say “honey, look what i got today” douchebag.
Sharks are having enough troubles with the shark fin soup market overseas that we do not need to kill any more than the Asians are. We need to save the sharks and prevent any further decline in their populations…enough for the science.
They’re cool, badass, and amazing. Don’t kill them
SaveSharks
December 11, 2008 at 10:43 am
Are you kidding me?!?!? I read the article and it was interesting. The picture made me wonder why the shark was killed so I READ the comments. Please if you’re going to comment on something make sure you have your facts straight. There have been quite few that have already said that the shark died ACCIDENTALLY and was dissected by a MARINE BIOLOGIST. So please before you make ignorant comments learn to READ. There are plenty of instances where man has done some disgusting things to nature’s creatures but THIS is not one of them so find and article where someone was actually doing something WRONG and post there.
chris
December 14, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Biji-You’re a complete retard, all surfers are dumb ass
Dumb Surfer
December 14, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Haha that shark is in some serious need of some dentures. Its so pathetik that people feel so outraged by this picture, Agreed that it’s not a nice picture but christ bad shit happens in the world everyday. That is just life it’s never going to change. It is wrong to kill or hurt animals for no reason but somebody is always going to. The shark was already dead and simply being an organ donor. So why don’t you grab yourself a bottle of valium and chill the fuck out.
Verity
December 28, 2008 at 6:08 am
I would like to comment to all who have continued to state, “that’s not right, the shark was killed just for his jaws {souvenier}” If you read the caption below the picture, it clearly states that the shark was caught in a fishing net, which tangled around it’s gill slits and it drowned. They did not kill it for sport and it will be used to learn more about these magnificent creatures. I am thankful they are able to disect it to learn from it. It beats having to capture and kill a live shark, which is what was done for years to study them.
jodie
December 29, 2008 at 6:45 pm
OMG!!! Who ever took that picture and killed that shark should be ashamed of themselves. Some people seem to think Oh it’s one shark what does matter…? But it does you are not the only doing this… Great Whites are an important part of the earth, you may believe it but if they become extinct we will miss them, the ocean is their home and they deserve to stay in it.
Amanda
January 2, 2009 at 1:50 pm
WOW…learn to freakin read people…as several people have already stated…The shark was already dead! Chill out. The shark was being disected by MARINE BIOLOGISTS to be studied. And don’t sit there and try and tell me if you had just cut the jaws out of that thing you wouldn’t stop for a photo opp.
Dude
January 8, 2009 at 11:32 am
HOOORRRIIIBBBLLLLE!
this is why sharks are coming close to extinction!
Tase
January 25, 2009 at 8:10 pm
That It Just So Wrong.!! How WOuld yu Like It If SomeOne Killed You And Took Your Teeth Out.?!!?
I Think It Is Very Sad What Idiots Do To Sharks. They Are So Beautiful. And When ONE Shark Mistakenly Attacks A Human Alot Of Sharks Get Killed ):
Sharks Should Live In Peace. They Were Around Longer Then Us. Sharks Have Feelings To You Know.
Maddie
January 30, 2009 at 8:08 pm
you all can’t fucking read,the photo is only related to the article as an illustration to the size of the shark suspected to have left a bite mark on Mr. Larkin’s surfboard.
Mr.Larkin lived to surf another day…
unless people aren’t reporting them attacks at Huntington Beach,are recorded as 2,both survived.1 near lifeguard tower 16,the other at dog beach,both surfers.
I don’t believe great whites are common ….
MIke
May 14, 2009 at 3:39 am
that is absolutely fucking disgusting and aweful.
mikaela
June 17, 2009 at 3:56 pm
and i dont care if it was already dead. its still gross
mikaela
June 17, 2009 at 3:57 pm
that is pretty sweet . n all those people that are all freaking out about a dang shark are just wired. because sharks attack us so whats the harm if we do the same …. this world is a battle field we hunt other things and so do they we are exactly like them and to be honest i would be soo proud to be holding that too it looks soo auswome i just dont see what u guys are freaking about ! sharks hunt everything we do ! but if u guys want to say that then okay say it this is just all my opion on this !
ashley
June 18, 2009 at 5:35 pm
looks like something i would hang in my room
chris
July 9, 2009 at 3:52 am
I concur with those individuals stating that one should learn to…ahem…do research. If one actually read the original post, not just looked at the picture, one would discover, as I did, a link to the original article the photo came from. I read said article. The man in the photo did not, as supposed, dive into the sea bare chested, wrestle the Great white to its death and then drag its carcass ashore. He was a marine biologist dissecting an already dead specimen, which died by accident in the process of a commercial fishing venture. Numbskulls, who feel the need to spout moronic gibberish without bothering to find out the facts, please go use the link and read the article.
Denise
July 15, 2009 at 9:45 pm
i love killing animals..screw them!!!
mike
August 18, 2009 at 5:28 am
All of you people are crazy. You won’t catch me in no ocean water, funk to the that….
Steve
November 3, 2009 at 12:23 pm