Shark attack Catalina Sat. 6/21

[drbill]

Speaking of planes, when I moved to Catalina in the late 60's I had three major fears: flying, lightning and great white sharks (roughly in that order). One day in the early 70's I had to return to the island from Long Beach. I missed the boat and had to take a seaplane. As we were waiting at the airport a pretty strong (for SoCal) thunderstorm approached. We took off anyway and as we were flying over the water, I saw two large sharks beneath us.

All I could think of was lightning striking the plane, causing it to crash in the vicinity of the sharks.

Fortunately lightning is my only major fear these days.

 

[Zeeman]

That is a pretty cool story Dr Bill! I'd love to see video footage of that one!

Z...

 

[fisheater]

Sounds like "Dr. Bill Meets Dr. (Indiana) Jones!"

Dr. Bill: "Why did it have to be an airplane, lightning and sharks?"

Dr. Jones: "At least it's not snakes!"

 

[drbill]

Snakes have always been my friends!

Zee... remember, I'm an old geezer. Back when that happened, consumer video was essentially non-existent. About a year or two later the school I taught at happened to get a gift of a videotape recorder from the late actor William Conrad. I might add that this had REEL-TO-REEL tape that only recorded in black-and-white, separate camcorder and tape deck, no battery power. Certainly nothing I could take up in a plane with me (or under water).

 

[Dwikkles]

I am a big fan of sharks, but GWS's whether they're being playful or not, will kill you. Even if its an accident. No matter how beautiful and amazing they are we should all be scared as hel of them. They are dangerous.

 

[drbill]

Dwikkles... I think you've been watching Jaws too much. Great whites are not generally interested in killing or eating human beings. Like any critter, they do make mistakes on occasion. However, even in the event they take a bite, they generally do not return for a second helping. The number of fatal great white shark attacks is extremely low compared to those from falling vending machines, coconuts, honeybees, etc.

 

[scubatomwetzel]

Just have to watch out for Dr. Bill!!! He goes back for seconds!! Hee Hee.

 

[stargost]

didn't someone in another post saying that if you are a woman in catalina, it is better to watch out for Dr Bill than for GWS ?

 

[Hoomi]

Eagle Rock on the backside of the west end if the reports I heard are correct. Same place I had one follow me (in VERY clear water), but that was about 30 years ago.

Maybe he remembered, and was hoping to see you again.

Or thought you were Alfred E. Neumann.

 

[drbill]

Just have to watch out for Dr. Bill!!! He goes back for seconds!! Hee Hee.

Tom, that only applies to the ladies. Unfortunately, I was alone in the dive park l night... but it wasn't a full moon anyway.