I am surprised that over all those years there has not been one encounter with a shark. I can see the flury of the race keeping sharks away (assuming they are fearful of that level of craziness) but what about all those people in very small groups or going solo that swim way out there in practice…not even one encounter?
sharks can’t catch’m. They swim too fast.
Actyually, I could have sworn that Potts said he saw 2 while leading last year at Kona. Didn’t specify what kind of sharks, only that he saw 2.
I am surprised that over all those years there has not been one encounter with a shark. I can see the flury of the race keeping sharks away (assuming they are fearful of that level of craziness) but what about all those people in very small groups or going solo that swim way out there in practice…not even one encounter?
The race officials issued a swim lane closure to the sharks 72 hours prior to the race…
Triathletes in Kona are too skinny… the sharks aren’t interested…
There have actually been 7 bloody ferocious attacks over the years at Kona… but there is a WTC conspiracy cover up so that the athletes don’t get scared to come back…
WTC uses shark bait to lure them all to oahu prior to race week…
You have to think about this from the perspective of the shark. You go in, think about munching on some Kona athlete - who is likely pretty Type-A to begin with. Now what if that type-A person puts up a fight, punches you in the eyes, nose, etc…- for what? A measly meal of 0% body fat types?
Not worth the hassle, like eating cereal one flake at a time.
too many people
sharks are terrified
.
People aren’t shark food. Imagine the carnage at Hawaii beaches if they were. IM has been run 35 times once a year with around 2000’ish people. Many thousands of people swim, surf, dive, and snorkel in the Hawaiian islands 365 days a year.
Our sushi chef told us about this video at hapuna Beach
http://www.hawaiiislandlife.com/…-beach-july-24-2011/
.
Our sushi chef told us about this video at hapuna Beach
http://www.hawaiiislandlife.com/…-beach-july-24-2011/]
I would have pulled the trigger, missed, shit myself, and then get eaten.
John Flanagan says he has ran into sharks a couple times in open water swims and while surfing. He says it startled him a bit but they just minded their own business (which apparently wasn’t eating him).
They see the scrum that is known as a Mass Swim Start and stay clear.
If someone does get attacked it’ll be one of those “other than qualifier” slow people at the back. So the ST elite can take solace in that.
The video below is a few weeks prior to IM. 10 hour fight with a 16 foot 1100 lb tiger shark at the mouth of the harbor. Thats the harbor before the airport. Scroll down below the first big marlin.
http://www.lindasue2.com/index.htm
Well, knowing that if you are in the lead you may see sharks has caused me to rethink my goals. You heard it here first, I will NOT be first in the swim. Of course at age 60+ it ia not a difficult goal to accheive (not being first that is).
This is a 180lb shark a mile or two off the bay the Thursday before the race. We missed the underpants run, damn it!
Our sushi chef told us about this video at hapuna Beach
http://www.hawaiiislandlife.com/…-beach-july-24-2011/]
Whoa! That is where the Honu 70.3 swims.
There’s probably been 14 fatal shark attacks in the islands since 1980. You are more at risk riding your bike on the shared roads with the distracted motorist than being eaten by a shark.
Tigers are around all the time. There’s just not enough meat on you guys to make it worth the effort.
Seriously though, the big sighting season is around May -June or so. Move the race. and you might get to see a few. 
Can we please delete this thread? Wife and I swim the course everyday during our vacations in Kona. This past May, I definitely saw a shark. Wife didn’t care. Chivalry was shaken.
Going back again in a month or so to do the same thing.
Scared sh$tless. Begged my dad back in the day to take me to see Jaws. I was 7, he was stupid. I’m scarred for life.
Jamie
They see the scrum that is known as a Mass Swim Start and stay clear.
If someone does get attacked it’ll be one of those “other than qualifier” slow people at the back. So the ST elite can take solace in that.
More likely a front running Pro . Equally isolated and the masses haven’t come through yet.
But Potts is a Honey Badger…