As surfers, it’s important for us to know who we’re getting into the water with when we paddle out. Understanding what types of sea creatures inhabit our surf spot is essential to both our safety and theirs.
The most feared with no question is sharks -- while some experienced surfers may claim they’re not afraid of running into the creatures, there’s not a soul out there that wouldn’t go into complete panic mode if a gray fin came swimming towards them.
Aside from looking for signage, and paying attention to recent sightings, all we can do is inform ourselves. And the best way to do that is reading!
Here are our top 5 recommendations for books about sharks and some brave individuals who have dealt with them first hand.
1. “Chasing Shadows” by Greg Skomal
Cape Cod, Massachusetts is known for its charming villages, local lobster rolls, and warm, sandy beaches. It’s celebrated as America’s idyllic seaside retreat. However, in August of 2012, the Cape experienced its first great white shark attack in almost 80 years.
Following the attack, shark sightings surged all over the coasts of Massachusetts, leading to thousands of signs warning beachgoers.
Despite these attempts, 6 years later tragedy stuck again when a boogie boarder lost his life from another great white. This raised questions about what had transformed the rarity of human-shark interactions into a frequent occurrence.
As some community members advocated for drastic measures such as shark culls, nets, and drone surveillance, tensions escalated among local residents, scientists, politicians, and public safety officials.
Dr. Greg Skomal, a shark biologist, has been at the forefront of this issue. In his book “Chasing Shadows”, Skomal deepens readers’ understanding of the creatures through tagging and tracking.
He also explains the resurgence of great whites along the eastern seaboard, and the challenge of reconciling conservation efforts with the public's growing anxiety. You can read more about Skomal’s story and findings by purchasing the book on Amazon
2. “Emperors of the Deep” by William McKeever
For decades now, we as a society have been all caught up with our own safety in the ocean, overlooking an important statistic: while sharks are responsible for approximately less than four human fatalities every year, humans kill around 100 million sharks in the same time frame.
This alarming fact has made the species extremely vulnerable and jeopardized the future of our world's oceans.
“Emperors of the Deep” serves as both an in-depth exploration of sharks, focusing on great whites, makos, hammerheads, and tigers. The book also provides an urgent calling for their protection.
Author William McKeever introduces us to scientists, conservationists, and esteemed shark experts who are starting to reveal the species' most closely held secrets.
He also interviews activists from around the world, who have dedicated their lives to shark conservation.
An exciting underwater journey, this book transforms our understanding of sharks from cold-blooded predators to amazing creatures that are essential for the health of the world's oceans. It’s available to buy or rent on Amazon and the Barnes & Noble website.
3. “Be Unstoppable: The Art of Never Giving Up” by Bethany Hamilton
After Bethany Hamilton lost her arm to a 14-foot tiger shark, the New York Times bestselling author and champion surfer made an amazing return to competitive surfing just a month later.
Her story remains and will remain one of the most inspiring comeback narratives of our time.
In her book, “Be Unstoppable”, Hamilton reveals how her faith, love, and passion have each driven her to exceed all expectations following her attack.
Along with her reflections are breathtaking photographs that showcase her skills as a world-class surfer, highlighting both her own talent as well as the beauty and power of the ocean.
Hamilton’s incredible story of resilience, bravery, and insights can be bought on Amazon.
4. “The Ultimate Shark Field Guide” by Thomas Nelson
With “The Ultimate Shark Field Guide”, readers can dive into the world of marine biology, and discover the secrets of the deep blue sea.
The guide has a wide range of shark species, showcasing their unique characteristics like appearance, size, diet, and more.
The amazing watercolor illustrations are sure to enchant young audiences as well. Bringing readers face-to-face with some of the ocean's most formidable creatures, “The Ultimate Shark Field Guide” is sure to inform and inspire audiences to take care of our oceans and protect who it really belongs to.
5. “Shark: Portraits” by Mike Coots
A shift from fear to affection is underway, as the world has begun to embrace sharks amid growing concerns of their endangerment. Mike Coots, who survived a near-death experience with a tiger shark when he was younger, has devoted his life to showcasing the beauty of these creatures and their essential contribution to a thriving ocean ecosystem.
In “Shark: Portraits” he gets close up and personal with the men in gray suits, offering a unique viewpoint through images that highlight both their strength and intelligence.
Coots’ travels far and wide to destinations such as Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand, the Bahamas, and the Maldives, where he free dives and scuba dives -- typically without the protection of a cage.
These places have allowed him to document Tigers, Great Hammerheads, rare Oceanic White Tips, Lemons, Silvertips, Caribbean Reef Sharks, and huge Great Whites. This amazing collection can be found on Amazon.
Nice book list..... Would probably look more professional if you took out the Chat GPT prompt in the middle of the article. Or I guess you could hire actual writers, or at least an editor.