Posted on 07/11/2008 8:28:01 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. -- If you need more proof that New Smyrna Beach is the shark bite capital of the world, a local photographer has it, three amazing photos with eyewitnesses to back it. Just as thousands of surfers and swimmers are heading to the beach this weekend, there's more evidence they aren't the only ones in the water.
It happened in the blink of an eye, but some people told Eyewitness News they still don't believe the tale of a wave-jumping shark in New Smyrna Beach even though it was caught on camera.
"He said, 'I hope I got it,'" said eyewitness Skipper Eppelin.
It was three frames, one half-second of photography and a once-in-a-lifetime shot.
"I looked at the camera and go, 'You've got to be kidding me,'" said photographer Kem McNair.
The local photographer and artist was aiming his camera at the waves a week ago, like he does almost daily, when something jumped, literally, right into the frame.
"I saw something in the background. I go, 'What was that?' I look at the display and back it up just a tad and there's this spinner shark," McNair said.
Right next to two unaware surfers, the spinner shark leapt from the waves, twisted and disappeared. It's the same spot where sharks have bitten 12 people this year and evidence, beach patrol said, of what's in the water even if you usually don't see it.
McNair admits he can understand why some people think the pictures are fakes. After all, he's shot at the beach for 40 years and has never captured anything like it, but there were eyewitnesses with him who can back him up.
"He took the shot and I was witness to it," Eppelin said.
Eppelin was standing next to McNair in the water and other surfers told Eyewitness News they've seen similar shark behavior in the water.
"No doubt in my mind, there's nothing uncommon about that in this inlet" said local surfer Mike Van Doren.
It's just uncommon for someone to catch it on camera.
Slideshow at link
And that is why I stay out of the ocean.
This shark is big trouble with his bros now the secret is out.
In a minute or two this will turn into a CrEvo thread and be deleted...
Such threads jumped the shark eons ago.
Now the cry at the beaches will be “Sharks up”.
*ahem* 6000 years ago...
Same photographer who did the Iranian missile launch?
What happened to the frame with the mermaid in it?
Anyone that swims in the ocean takes their life into their own hands, look what happened to Steve Irwin.
FL sharks are such attention whores.
I grew up surfing this area. Used to paddle across the inlet from the Ponce side to surf there. Lots of sharks there, most of them pretty easy to get along with. The occasional bite does happen when a critter mistakes a hand or foot for a big fat mullet. Seldom, if ever a true predatory attack in this area.
I guess this signal the decline of shark sightings at the beach now?
//Anyone that swims in the ocean takes their life into their own hands//
Yes whenever I have been out on North Maui surfing/windsurfing I can never get my mind off the fact that 18’ tiger sharks are out there.
Hey! Look at me, hey pay attention!
ping
Hang fin!
Cage goes in the water
You go in the water
Shark’s in the water
Our shark!
Farewell and adieu to you fair Spanish ladies
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