Jonathan Kieran

Yesterday’s Great White Shark attack (duly blogged) upon a South Australian grandmother was tragic enough, but with the onset of October, it appears that Great Whites across the globe are gearing up for a busy Autumnal harvest of human flesh.

Three swimmers entered the already perilous, riptide-bedeviled waters off Wildcat Beach near Point Reyes in Marin County and got about thirty yards from shore when one member of the trio was taken by what must have been a particularly large and ravenous Great White Shark. (It hardly bears mentioning that these waters are within the infamous Red Triangle zone—come on, you remember this sector from countless Shark Week productions.) The size and ravenousness of the predator would seem to be indicated by the very simple (thus far) report that the 50 year-old man’s swimming buddies didn’t hear a thing but, when turning to note their companion’s progress, saw a brief glimpse of a fin and a huge pool of blood spreading out atop the surface of the briny. Apparently, the victim did not even cry out in reactionary surprise or terror as he was attacked … or have time to do so. He has not been seen since and will likely not be, although decapitated heads have been known to wash-up miles from notorious shark attack scenes in this very region. (Don’t worry, I won’t extrapolate on that.)

If shark it was, it was a determined, efficient, HUGE shark. The swiftness of the predation and subsequent disappearance of the swimmer makes it likely that the initial strike was big enough and powerful enough to completely incapacitate the poor gent and send him into speechless (screamless) shock. Moreover, only a large Great White specimen could deliver such a death blow and pull a grown man completely under within a matter of seconds, leaving no trace but the crimson-tinged tide.

First responders were on the scene around fifteen minutes after the victim’s disappearance and the Coast Guard launched a noble but pointless search for the man, a search that has since been suspended. Typically, shark attack victims and presumed decedents are identified by name quickly in California media sources, but authorities are being somewhat cagey about the identity of this fellow and his companions. The only shred of a revelation about the context of this swimming foray was a mention that the three intrepid seafarers were perhaps part of a group of fifteen individuals camping further up on the ever-windswept shoreline, beneath the watchful cliffs. Something seems fishy about the overall hazy state of information so far, and it ain’t just the shark.

Interestingly, a Marin County resident was quoted as saying that “locals” know full well to avoid swimming or surfing at Wildcat Beach due to a steep underwater canyon drop-off that causes dangerous riptides and chaotic currents. The man also mentioned sharks. Should we even add the death-grip of hypothermia to this litany? Whull, by golly, I did.

As for me, the fact that someone—anyone—would enter that portion of the chilly Pacific in October for a happy little swim signals extreme lack of familiarity with our many notorious beaches and coves. I’d wager that these men (and the attendant crowd of campers) were from out of town. Possibly WAY out of town. But we must learn more details before rendering a full assessment of this harrowing scenario.

RIP to the Unnamed Swimmer, condolences to any family members, and remember, friends, the Pacific waters off Northern California are not recommended for casual recreation in any way. Even expert divers, surfers, and sailors know the inherent risks. Some of those risks have sharp and enormous Teeth of Abject Destruction. Familiarize yourselves with various shoreline “reputations” before flinging those eager bodies into the transfixing blue of some turbulent, homicidal patch of ocean. Ask a longtime local. They’ll set your straight.

[Jonathan is busy writing and illustrating and finishing a whole slew of projects in preparation for upcoming major releases. Don’t expect a helluva lot of bloggin’ to get done unless something really strikes his fancy. Be patient. Marvelous things are on the way.]

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