VIA – KHON
Shark attacks Kauai canoe paddler
Reported by: Ron Mizutani
Email: [email protected]
A veteran canoe paddler is grateful to be alive after encountering a shark off Kauai’s south shore.
Tom Bartlett’s one-man canoe was severely damaged after a shark bit his vessel twice about a half mile offshore.
Poipu to Salt Pond is a popular training run for canoe paddlers on Kauai’s south shore and one Tom Bartlett makes four times a week. But on Tuesday just before 3 p.m., Bartlett’s run came to a screeching halt when he was hit by a shark.
“Startling to see a shark with its jaws open latched on to the front of the boat,” said Bartlett by phone from Kauai. “I tried to swing at but I was too far back.”
Bartlett says the shark let go but returned seconds later.
“Then it came around and hit the right side of the boat about a foot in front of the foot well, again you know open jaw,” he said. “I think I got it with the paddle.”
Bartlett was with six other paddlers who were unaware he’d been hit. His canoe immediately started taking on water.
“The boat is slowly going down deeper and deeper and it submarining,” said Bartlett. “I was just on the surface of the water basically.”
He eventually reached shore near Palama Beach and carried his canoe through coffee fields to a sub-division where he called for help. By then friends had called 911 but he was safe.
“I’ve heard tales before about them taking chunks off but he wasn’t like ripping and tearing. He just kind of grasped onto the boat.”
Bartlett doesn’t know what type of shark bit his canoe or how large it was. He says teeth marks show the animal’s jaw measured 13-inches wide.
“One big hole about the size of a 50 cent piece.”
Bartlett is the father of world champion paddler Kai Bartlett who is married to women’s world champion Lauren Bartlett.
Lauren’s father Mike Spalding was also attacked by a shark in March of ’09 while swimming off Maui. His attack gained national attention when researchers determined he was the first documented case of cookie cutter shark attack on a live person.
“His was certainly was much worse,” he said…
For all the full story and all the photos go here:
http://www.khon2.com/news/local/story/Shark-attacks-Kauai-canoe-paddler/1wkfTwoRIE2MPg15slQCSA.cspx
For more recent shark attack articles go here:
Champion surfer Mathieu Schiller killed in shark attack on French island
http://surftweeters.com/champion-surfer-mathieu-schiller-killed-in-shark-attack-on-french-island/
PHOTOS: Northern California Shark Attack
http://surftweeters.com/photos-shark-attack-in-northern-california/
Hawaii: Shark Takes Bite Out of Surfboard
http://surftweeters.com/update-video-shark-takes-bite-out-of-surfboard-hawaii-surfreport/
Shark attacks Kauai canoe paddler
http://surftweeters.com/video-shark-attacks-kauai-canoe-paddler/
Local surfers want killer shark destroyed
Bodyboarder killed by shark near Bunker Bay
http://surftweeters.com/update-brutal-details-bodyboarder-killed-by-shark-near-bunker-bay-australia-surfreport/
PHOTO: Shark bites surfer at Crescent Beach – Rare attack likely from 6-foot shark #SurfReport East Coast
A SURFER has died after he was attacked by a Great White Shark in the sea off South Africa.
W.Va. boy recovering after shark attack
http://surftweeters.com/7-year-old-w-va-boy-recovering-after-shark-attack/
Teenager injured in new shark attack in Primorye territory
UPDATE: Far Eastern shark attack victim stable after surgery
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20110818/165877948.html
Russian swimmer alive after rare shark attack
http://surftweeters.com/another-shark-attack-russian-swimmer-alive-after-rare-shark-attack/
UPDATE: Shark attack victim loses both hands, in stable condition after surgery
Man injured in new shark attack in Russia: Official
http://surftweeters.com/man-injured-in-new-shark-attack-in-russia-official/
French diver dies after suspected shark attack in Seychelles
http://surftweeters.com/french-diver-dies-after-suspected-shark-attack-in-seychelles/
Maritime Safety Advisory Issued
Emergency meeting held to address freak shark accident in Praslin
http://surftweeters.com/another-shark-attack-in-seychelles-2-deaths-this-month/
http://surftweeters.com/update-shark-attack-british-honeymooner-killed-shark-hunt-begins/
Shark bites man fishing off Beaufort inlet
Fisherman, son survive shark attack
http://surftweeters.com/fisherman-son-survive-shark-attack/
Doctors: Shark likely bit US tourist in Puerto Rico
10 year old boy bitten by shark in Holden Beach
http://surftweeters.com/10-year-old-boy-bitten-by-shark-in-holden-beach/
Breaking News! Country music star Roger Creager bitten by shark!
http://surftweeters.com/breaking-news-country-music-star-roger-creager-bitten-by-shark/
Unbelievable photo of shark spotted along San Diego’s coastline
Become A Sponsor!If you have a product or service that is a good fit for our surf community, we have opportunities for you to sponsor this blog! Download our media kit now!