Surfer's Paradise Research Paper

Bethany Hamilton was a world class surfer who won many surfing awards. She started surfing at age five, and was already in the most elite competitions by age 13. But, as she ran towards the ocean and shoved off from her board on Halloween 2003, her life would change forever. A tiger shark could ahold of her arm, and tugged with all his might. She had not felt any pain, but pressure. “With a strange calmness, Bethany stared at the stump on her shoulder where her arm used to be.” (Shark Attack Survivor).

After a few months, I got back into the water. Although I was hesitant, this experience would not keep me from exploring the depths of the ocean. Since then, I have become certified as both a Rescue Diver and a Master Scuba Diver and have recorded several ocean dives. This experience has made me further appreciate life, recognize both the beauty and danger of the ocean, and solidify my passion for diving. I now assist new divers in their certification, keep watch during large dive outings, and ensure everyone is safe. No day should be taken for granted as our time on Earth is

I love the beach. I feel so calm lying on the warm sand with the sound of the waves hitting the shore around me, until my feet hit that water and I’m reminded of the menacing creatures that lurk further out. For the water-wader, you really only worry about jellyfish or the sea shells cutting your feet (depending on what beach you’re on of course.) But for those of us who like to be out in the water either swimming, surfing, diving or fishing, we have much bigger worries swimming through our mind. I have this terrible fear that if I get too far out, I’m going to get attacked by a great white shark. I’ve never even seen the movie Jaws (shocking, right?) but I just know that will be my life the minute I exceed ankle-deep water. Maybe it is a

My head bobbed in the water, allowing my arms and legs to tread. A smile grew on my face when I saw how calm the water was, up and down and back and forth, moving in a constant wave. Before I could react, my head went under, held down by two large hands wrapped around my neck. I attempted to fight whoever was pushing me farther into the water, but my efforts were futile. My hands latched on to those of my attacker; my hair swirled over my field of vision. I screamed and let the air escape, but water filled my lungs, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. More and more water weighed me down, hundreds and thousands of feet deeper than I could handle. My body gave out; I couldn’t keep fighting. The hands around my neck squeezed tighter and tighter. Breathing was impossible.

If you count waves you know that the 13th wave in always the biggest one. He zipped up his wetsuit just in time to jump in and catch it. After an awesome ride, Bruce paddled out to wait for another one. He was sitting upright on his board, legs dangling down, hoping for just one more great ride. It was then that he noticed something move below him. He looked down to see what looked like a large tail sweeping left to right. Just a tail though, which he thought was really strange. Where is the rest of the fish he thought? Then it broke the surface right next to him. It was a huge Tiger shark. With its camouflage capabilities he had never seen its huge torso or square head. It was blending in perfectly with the reef below him. He thought really fast and spun around and pushed the surfboard into it’s gaping mouth, as it broached the surface. It was just 3ft away from him, jaws clamped down on his board, thrashing left and right. His spearfishing experience came into play here. He knew if he panicked and swam fast along the surface the shark would dump the board and lunge for him. Instead he took a deep breath and dove down and hid under a coral reef like a fish waiting for its predator to swim away. As the huge shark turned and swam with his board, Bruce scurried along the seafloor like an octopus 60ft to the large reef the waves were breaking

Surfing is a remarkably dynamic sport. More so than in other outdoor sports, the surfer is at the mercy of the environment. A complex blend of geography, wind, tide, and swell can make the very same beach a small and mild longboard haven one day, a stiff and challenging platform for shortboard acrobatics another day, and a messy jumble of pure danger at other

Already catching the waves he began to surf. He sat upright on the board waiting for the perfect wave to form. He looked up at the bright blue sky and then looked back down and closed his eyes; he felt the movement of the water. The water slowly rumbled in a steady pace and that is when Jordan knew the ‘perfect’ wave had come. But soon the cool sound of the crisp air began to turn into the rumbles of

Inspired by watching surfers from the shore, an impetuous Verna decided that she’d give it a try. With unfounded confidence and without instructions, she grabbed a surfboard and paddled out into the surf. After multiple attempts to catch a wave only to ride over the top to its backside, a good-looking young man came to her rescue. He helped her obtain the momentum needed to ride the wave to shore. Verna, delighted with the sensation of “flying like a bird,” immediately returned to the surf. With aid from the same handsome assistant, Verna succeeded in catching another wave and savored another dreamy

I jog towards the ocean, my heart thumping faster and faster as I get closer. The first splash of water hits me, a cold rush enlivening my whole body. I thrust my joy against the weight of the sea, and climb on. My wetsuit clad legs dangle in the clear blue water, as I squint at what’s in front of me, looking for the perfect wave.

His fingers slowly brush through the water as he turns his board to face the shore. He looks back across the rolling blue and white surf to the bleached sand, and beyond to the dense green trees, where he can just make out the pale red shape of his wagon. He shakes the water and salt from his shaggy beach-blonde hair. The short cropped school-boy style he used to have has given way to surfy windswept locks that come with the relaxed, freedom loving lifestyle he has chosen. He sits there day dreaming for a while, taking in the peaceful sounds of the waves crashing on the white sand. He scans the beach. To the left there is a reef, beautiful and serene but deadly to surfers who ride the wave too long. He has never made the mistake of being caught out but always fears that one day he

Surfing at Mavericks is not something that can be taken lightly because the conditions are extreme. Maverick’s popular large waves are caused by cosmic storms, originating from Japan or Alaska, which churn the water and cause swells to travel southward for over thousands of miles, gathering a greater velocity as the swells travel. Finally, all that energy and water reaches the deep reef of Pillar Point in Half Moon Bay breaking at insane heights in the winter season (Muir). Besides the huge waves, deep and cold waters, to reach the waves one must usually paddle out about 1 or 2 miles off the shore; Mavericks is also home to many sharks since Mavericks is part of a marine sanctuary, where great whites are protected, and also is part of the red

Big waves surfing is one of the most dangerous discipline ever invented. It’s been around for al-most 300 years and maybe more. Every year more people try surfing and it’s becoming a very popular hobby around the world. I have tried it myself and it’s very addictive. You always want to get better and surf bigger waves.

Surfing isn’t easy, but it is very exciting and addicting. If you are someone who likes non contact sports, and enjoys being outside, this is the sport for you. Unlike a lot of other sports, you are hot and sweaty in a gym, however surfing in the ocean makes you feel cool on a hot day. If you are a beginner, it may be very challenging to catch a wave. It is recommended to use a soft foam board. These boards are lightweight, don't require wax, and easy to get up and stand on. Before you decide to get in water, you need to make sure that you find the right spot with just enough waves. I would not recommend going into an area with very big waves because surfing as a beginner, it would be very overwhelming. As a beginner, when catching a wave, you want to be waist deep and in an area where the waves have already broken. At this spot, you can practice standing up.

When I was nine, I wanted to learn to surf. But, due to it being winter in Pennsylvania, I could not learn to. My encouraging and generous parents later decided to get me surfing lessons for my tenth birthday, which left me joyful and optimistic. With the help of my surfing instructor, who was tremendously patient, as well as helpful, I learned to surf.

When first arriving at the beach we were greeted by the sights of wet sand, crashing waves, strong blowing winds, and a hot radiating sun. After the initial setup of towels, umbrellas, and applying of sunscreen my cousins, brother and I bolted for the waves that rose up the shore. Swimming in a pool is nothing like swimming in the ocean, everything felt more extreme as we floated over waves and were dragged around by the current. It wasn't long until my brother and I were reminded of a childhood joy of ours, which was facing off against the waves. We would swim to a place where we could stand firmly and try to remain standing as waves would crash down often taking us with them. When we’d finish our fun