Do Sharks Attack Kayaks?

Table of Contents

Do Sharks Attack Kayaks? (Can You Prevent It From Happening?)

One of the inherent dangers that come with being in the water is sharks. There is an average of 16 shark attacks per year in the United States, with a fatality every two years, according to Wikipedia. Although shark attacks have been documented in every coastal state in America, the states with the most shark attacks are Florida, Hawaii, California, Texas, and the Carolinas. It seems like you would be especially vulnerable to a shark attack while kayaking. However, there are ways to avoid shark attacks when you are in a kayak.

Yes, sharks do attack kayaks, but very rarely, since the early 1900s, there has been only 21 reported shark attacks on kayakers. When paddling amongst sharks, it is easy for them to confuse kayakers with prey. If you want to avoid a shark attack while kayaking, you should stay close to your paddle buddy. Sharks are less likely to attack groups of people. Another way to avoid a shark attack while kayaking is to stay in your kayak until you reach the shore. If you find yourself relatively far from shore, try to get against a cliff or a wall. This will minimize the direction from which a shark can attack your kayak. Do not try to paddle away from a shark, as they may confuse you with an injured otter or seal.

In this article, we are going to examine the frequency of shark attacks while kayaking, including the fatalities that have been reported from shark attacks on kayakers. Because shark attacks do happen, although not frequently, I will also examine the factors that contribute to a shark attack. We will also take a look at how sharks attack a kayak, as well as preventive measures that can be taken to avoid these attacks.

Reported Shark Attacks on Kayakers Including Fatalities

According to the Shark Attack File, since the early 1900s, there have only been 21 reported shark attacks on kayakers. According to Paddling Mag, the only reported fatalities from shark attacks on kayakers were Tamara McAllister and Roy Stoddard, from Malibu, California. While it is apparent that shark attacks on kayakers are quite rare, when they do happen, there is approximately a ten percent chance that the attack will end in a fatality. The fatality rate of kayakers who have faced shark attacks is slightly higher than the fatality rate of other vessels attacked by sharks, which is slightly over six percent.

However, saltwater is not the only place that sharks are known to attack. Bull sharks can thrive in both freshwater and saltwater, according to Wikipedia. This species of shark thrives in warm, shallow waters. Bull sharks are known for being aggressive, which does not bode well for kayakers. They are also known for being able to travel long distances. Bull sharks have been known to travel up the Mississippi River as far as Illinois. Because there has been a sparse number of freshwater shark attacks, kayakers do not have much to fear if they stay in freshwater systems such as rivers and lakes.

What Causes Sharks to Attack?

The evolution of sharks dates back millions of years, which means that they were on Earth long before humans. Therefore, humans are not part of the regular diet of sharks. There are more than 300 species of sharks in the water. Only 12 of those species have been known to attack human beings. It is a common misconception that sharks primarily attack when they are hungry. Sharks are known for being opportunistic and aggressive feeders, although they mostly feed on fish and invertebrates. Larger species of sharks may prey on seals, sea lions, and other aquatic mammals.

Sharks usually attack when they are confused or curious, according to the National Ocean Service. If a shark sees a human splashing in the water with a paddle or an oar, it may become curious and want to investigate. The shark may then interpret the splashing as an attack. In turn, the shark may become defensive and be forced to attack. One fact that you might not be aware of is that sharks are usually more afraid of human beings than we are of them. This may be initially hard to believe because of the shark’s impressive size, fearful appearance, and razor-sharp teeth.

Looking to buy a kayak? Find out what size kayak you need for your weight here.

How Can I Avoid Shark Attacks While Kayaking?

The first thing that I would suggest if you want to avoid sharks while kayaking is to stay away from any boats that may be dumping blood into the water. This includes vessels such as slicks and fishing boats. You should also avoid relatively cloudy bodies of water. Kayaking in suspicious waters around dusk and dawn is quite dangerous as well. Avoiding large bodies of marine life, such as fish or sea lions, is also another way to avoid a shark attack while kayaking. If you kayak amongst a large school of fish or sea lions, you could easily be mistaken for a tasty meal for the shark.

One of the most important things to remember if you find yourself amongst sharks while you are kayaking is to avoid the temptation to paddle away from them. Sharks are incredibly fast and efficient. They are nature’s perfect apex predator. Trying to paddle away may give you the appearance of being an injured seal or an otter, causing the shark to become highly aggressive. An aggressive shark is the last thing you want to see while kayaking. If you find yourself in the position where a shark is becoming aggressive towards you, use your paddle and tap it on the snap. This may deter the shark from attacking you. Kayaking with a paddle buddy is also another way to avoid shark attacks, as sharks do not like to attack large groups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, sharks usually attack out of curiosity for confusion. To avoid a shark attack, it is highly recommended to kayak next to cliffs and walls. This limits the directions from which the shark can attack. You should never try to paddle away from a shark, as it may interpret the paddling as an injured seal or otter. If a shark is becoming aggressive, tapping it on its snout with your paddle May deter it from attacking. Kayaking with a buddy is also recommended because sharks do not like to attack large groups. However, the ocean isn’t the only place that sharks have attacked humans. Freshwater shark attacks are far fewer than saltwater shark attacks on kayakers, although they do not happen frequently in either type of water.