shark fishing. yes, really.

I'm a member of the JAWS generation. I grew up watching Jaws, terrified in the dark of night in my dry bed, dreaming that he would find me. When Sterling and I were on our honeymoon in Hawaii, we were snorkling and our guide wanted to take us to see some nurse sharks. I scrambled out of that water so fast I was practically back to our hotel before Sterling knew what was happening. If my new husband wanted to see some nurse sharks up close and personal, that was going to be a solo trip. No thank you sir. No siree. No way.

And yet, yesterday I let my kiddos swim in the ocean...while some friends CAUGHT SHARKS. Not even kidding.

The look on Parker's face when they pulled this baby up on the beach was priceless. It was like he'd won the lottery, been given a 6 pound Snicker bar, and found a new Corvette all at the same time. He's long had an affectionate fascination with sharks. He has approximately 37 rubber sharks in various spots in his room. But this. This was up close and personal sharking. Yikes.

The girls wanted in on the shark action as well. As you can see, Becca is reticent to touch the shark. She was also reticent to sit in the sand. I think she ended up doing both. It was a day of tremendous growth for my baby. Madison was not reticent to touch the shark and went so far as to repeatedly "pet" the dismembered shark head cast upon the beach once the cleaning and fileting were complete. The shark above was released...bull sharks are apparently not good for eating.

The whole day was super fun and not something this nervous nelly of a mother would normally participate in. I mean, they caught upwards of 7 sharks FROM THE BEACH. And yet, the kids were swimming and paddling and jumping the waves. Of course, when the line would pull and we knew they had a shark on the line...the moms would jump up and wave the kids in. "COME ON IN KIDS, SHARK'S A'COMIN'!"

No shark bites...but sunburn? Now that's another story altogether.

 

Comments

[Mary Theodosis]

I love sharks, on TV or at the movies. Not at all interested in touching but certainly would. Not at all interested in swimming with them and absolutely would not. Of course, I don't know why any of us worry, those great whites always pay really scary music when they are swimming up to you. People who hear that music should just get out of the water. Now the bull shark is a different shark entirely. No music and much more interested in biting people. Yike!! You set one free? What were you thinking woman? That dang shark will be biting people for years to come.

[ellen patton]

I grew up in LA and didn't see JAWS because I knew I'd never go in the ocean. I finally watched it when I moved to Massachusetts. And I still go to the ocean. :)