"Does anyone use a shark shield when surfing or diving? Costs about $600, just wondering how useful they would be with a 6m great white on the charge. Am considering buying one although somewhat sceptical of their success, but will keep the wife happy :)"
I've looked into one after a fatal last year and after I looked into the true numbers for shark attacks. Pretty sure it was an official report by the Fisheries department.
Anyhoo, the board mounted shark sheild's biggest problem is that they often zap the board rider if their leg touches the cable at the back. Also they weight a fair bit compared to the weight of an average PU board so can take some getting used to. I wouldn't go riding it for the first time at a 6ft plus day at Chopes put it that way.
All in all I'd say the shark shield has been a bit of a flop. Some say they even attrack sharks to the sheild itself and while the owner of the shield is pretty safe, the other surfers in the line up are not. Hence you might not get a warm response if you enter the line up wearing one.
