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Wave-Jumping Shark Caught In Photos At New Smyrna Beach [FL]
wftv ^ | 11-July-2008

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.


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: fl; newsmyrna; shark; surf
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Slideshow at link

1 posted on 07/11/2008 8:28:03 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
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To: stainlessbanner

And that is why I stay out of the ocean.


2 posted on 07/11/2008 8:29:38 PM PDT by chaos_5
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To: stainlessbanner

This shark is big trouble with his bros … now the secret is out.


3 posted on 07/11/2008 8:30:47 PM PDT by doc1019 (I was taught to respect my elders, but it's getting harder to find one.)
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To: doc1019

In a minute or two this will turn into a CrEvo thread and be deleted...

Such threads jumped the shark eons ago.


4 posted on 07/11/2008 8:34:41 PM PDT by IncPen (We are but a moment's sunlight, fading in the grass ...)
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To: stainlessbanner
Perhaps these sharks have long standing grievances and Floridians need to negotiate with them .
5 posted on 07/11/2008 8:38:53 PM PDT by kbennkc (For those who have fought for it , freedom has a flavor the protected will never know)
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To: stainlessbanner

Now the cry at the beaches will be “Sharks up”.


6 posted on 07/11/2008 8:41:31 PM PDT by MadMax, the Grinning Reaper
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To: IncPen
Such threads jumped the shark eons ago.

*ahem* 6000 years ago...

7 posted on 07/11/2008 8:41:59 PM PDT by null and void (With Nobama it will be 9/10 through 9/17 every week. - Coffee200AM)
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To: stainlessbanner

Same photographer who did the Iranian missile launch?

What happened to the frame with the mermaid in it?


8 posted on 07/11/2008 8:42:24 PM PDT by zeestephen
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To: stainlessbanner
The original jumping of the shark.


9 posted on 07/11/2008 8:50:52 PM PDT by racing fan ("This isn't the state of California, it's a state of insanity." (from the movie 1941))
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To: stainlessbanner

Anyone that swims in the ocean takes their life into their own hands, look what happened to Steve Irwin.


10 posted on 07/11/2008 9:09:47 PM PDT by garylmoore (Faith is the assurance of things unseen.)
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To: stainlessbanner

FL sharks are such attention whores.


11 posted on 07/11/2008 9:26:42 PM PDT by baclava
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To: stainlessbanner

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.


12 posted on 07/11/2008 9:27:43 PM PDT by ExpatGator (Extending logic since 1961.)
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To: racing fan

I guess this signal the decline of shark sightings at the beach now?


13 posted on 07/11/2008 9:59:42 PM PDT by rawhide
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To: garylmoore

//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.


14 posted on 07/11/2008 10:18:32 PM PDT by valkyry1
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To: stainlessbanner

15 posted on 07/11/2008 10:20:58 PM PDT by SlowBoat407 (ANWR would look great in pumps.)
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To: stainlessbanner

Hey! Look at me, hey pay attention!


16 posted on 07/11/2008 10:57:40 PM PDT by SeVeReD
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To: IncPen

ping


17 posted on 07/11/2008 11:49:48 PM PDT by Nailbiter
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To: stainlessbanner


18 posted on 07/12/2008 12:26:00 AM PDT by ccmay (Too much Law; not enough Order.)
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To: stainlessbanner

Hang fin!


19 posted on 07/12/2008 12:27:43 AM PDT by Rastus
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To: stainlessbanner

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


20 posted on 07/12/2008 5:27:47 AM PDT by Mentos
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