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Old 04-02-2006, 07:46 AM
Skyway Scott
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RickI
WHY do kiteboarders worry so much about sharks, apparently, and frequently show so little concern related to excessively gusty weather?

People have tried to explain this to me in the past. I am afraid I still don't quite get it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RickI
Some have said it goes below reason maybe something from racial memory about being torn limb from limb by primative preditors. Guys are actually incredulous when I point out the vastly greater threat posed by bad weather conditions vs. getting taken out by a shark while kiting. They insist on ignoring or playing down weather hazards to varyings degree and fixating on sharks which may never show up much less snuff them out. Strange but true. I've been around sharks for decades, was attacked a couple of different times years ago while diving. Still, weather gets my vote hands down with a kite up.
Rick, I liked your primal memory of being ripped theory. Entertaining, possible, stuff.
Here is more PURE speculation about why sharks get disproportionate attention/conversation from kiters as a safety threat than squall lines:
(I hope a couple are at least a little entertaining)

1. It sounds manly to discuss being in the shark's realm, defying his surely eminent DEATH bite :shock: The more you discuss his risk to your safety, the more exciting the conversations become. The induced fear gives a hit of adrenaline, its kinda excitin' to think about it, franky. Duh Nuh. Duh Nuh . Dunta DuntaDunta... WHAM!
(Peter Benchley didn't make a hollywood hit starring a rain cloud, ya' know)

2. Discussions regarding defying the winds are BORING! All you gotta do is ride in and land the kite, yawn.

3. You simply can't control a shark or really take (100% effective) preventative measures against the "man-eater", so WTF, put your energies into worrying about the beast. It takes some heat off the more pressing issues which maybe you can see coming, or act in response to with 100% effectiveness.

4. It doesn't sound cool to tell your friends "the WIND kicked my ass".
But, man, a shark nearly got me sounds real hardcore, especially to chicks who watched Jaws (or one of the "eat"quels)

5. Regardless of relevance, some things are just more exciting to talk about despite there level (or lack) of being factual. Yep, more excitin'.

6. People feel more comfortable when they have something to fixate their fears on. Every culture has a boogyman. Many sociologists feel the BM serves a valuable social function. If there is a void for this figure, it will quickly get filled for some. The primary function of the BM is "he" takes the heat for when something inexplicable happens... you can just blame the boogyman. Since he is imaginary, no one points fingers at others. The boogyman is actually ultimately supposed to be a community uniting myth.

While riding a kite, or in the water, the shark is the obvious candidate for role of boogyfish. It does appear to unite us as a group with our common fear against it, but in doing so, it might distract our attention from more realistic, immediate threats to us as kiters.

Just some more non-scientific speculations. I hope a couple were funny.

Scott

(here is a link to another GREAT forum with guys into sharks... its the local fishing crew. They get along pretty well)
http://forums.capmel.com/tool/post/c...23978&trail=15
I just talked to this kid for the scoop about the macks around the skyway, we are gonna nail some today!
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