A spate of shark attacks in Australia has left some of world’s top surfing beaches deserted and many people having second thoughts about taking a swim as the summer approaches.
Tens of thousands of surfers and other beach lovers are typically drawn to the warm Pacific waters of eastern Australia’s New South Wales state.
But there have been 11 shark attacks in the state this year, compared with only three in both 2014 and 2013, according to the Australian Shark Attack database, and many folks will be staying out of the water.
“To be honest, I’m rethinking taking my kids to the beach this year, it’s too risky,” said Malcolm Reeder, 50, who has vacationed near Sydney’s Bondi Beach every Christmas since his two teenaged daughters were old enough to swim.
“A couple of years ago they got surf boards for Christmas. Maybe this year it’ll be hiking boots,” he said.
In waters along hundreds of kilometres of coast north of Sydney, helicopter patrols regularly spot Great White sharks lurking near the few surfers still brave enough to catch the waves.