Northern Beaches WebMan

Shark Attack at Avalon Beach, Sydney Australia Details

Andrew Lindop Shark Attack Victim

A shark attacked a young 15 year old surfing grommet on 1st March 2009 at Avalon Beach NSW, Australia. Andrew Lindop was surfing with his father at North Avalon Beach early in the morning when the shark attacked him, biting his calf and upper leg. There has been an alarming number of Shark attacks in Sydney this summer, most notably in Bondi Beach and Sydney Harbour.

Avalon Beach on a Regular Day

Avalon is situated in the beautiful Northern Beaches of Sydney and it is believed to be the first shark attack by locals and residents. Although there has been various sightings over the years of schools of hammer head sharks, no one has been attacked. This recent attack will certainly create more awareness for residents of Sharks in the surrounding areas of the Northern Beaches. 

Avalon Beach, NSW. Beach Closed for Shark Attack

The various beaches surrounding Avalon have been closed and helicopters have been circulating the area looking for the shark. To add to the chaos a media circus has arrupted including tourists, TV Networks, Radio Stations and on lookers. 

Shark Attack Media Circus

News Reporter arrived in 45 minutes

Sharks certainly make news… within 30 minutes, the shark attack at Avalon was on the radio. Within 45 minutes, TV networks channel 7 and 9 were setting up camp. Yes, Shark Attacks create news.

Media & Residents of Avalon Beach looking for the shark

Why are people so facinated with Sharks? The media are quick to exploit them. No doubt the Shark Attack at Avalon Beach will be headline news on the TV and front pages on the newspaper!

Media Organisations Setting Up - Exploiting Shark Attacks

Perhaps the media should bring to our attention more environmental issues surrounding sharks and their habits? Perhaps they should interview surfers about their opinion instead of appealing to human fear? Why do they do this? $$$$$$$$$ Unless someone else can tell WebMan why?

Don’t Kill them!

WebMan is a very keen surfer himself, interestingly he wanted to go for a surf that morning at Avalon Beach but unfortunately he left his surf board at a friends place in Freshwater the day before. Generally speaking most fellow surfers are very much against the killing of the sharks after they attacks, after all we are in their territory. Humans accidentally kill hundreds of thousand sharks every year in: fishing, shark nets, pollution and not to mention the exporting of Shark Fins to foreign Countries.

It would be interesting to hear shark attack victims give their opinion of whether to kill them? The family of 51 year old Brian Guest was killed by a Shark in Port Kennedy in December 2008. The family did not want the shark that killed Brian to be hunted down. The majority of surfers agree with victims families. Let the sharks live, they are apart of nature and so is the majestic nature of riding earth’s dynamic carpet water. Let surfers live these beautiful naturistic dreams with the surrounding dangers, which include sharks.

Shark Attack Reality

Australian Shark Attack Statistics

Shark Attacks happen not just in Sydney, not just Australia but all over the world. Swimmers and surfers in shark know beaches and rivers know the risk of sharks before they enter the water. The reality is there is an average of one fertility a year in Australia from Shark Attacks.

Few Fertilities v’s Few Attacks…

“According to ASAF, since 1791 there has been 639 attacks and 190 shark attack fertilities”

So why does the shark not kill their victims? Is it fun for them? Well many experts say that they attack for mistaken identity for the Sharks regular food. It would be very easy for a shark to kill after biting a surfer, especially considering the shock the surfer must feel after being bitten. In most cases the shark simply swims away, even though it knows the surfer is helpless. SHARKS ARE NOT HUMAN KILLERS, THEY JUST MAKE ACCIDENTS.

Interestingly, Australian’s are:

• twice as likely to die after being struck by lighting
• 300 times more likely to to drown
• 3,000 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident 

We hope you get better soon Andrew and hope to see you surfing soon.
WebMan – Northern Beaches Web Designs