Solana Beach Fatal Shark Attack

I've lifeguarded this beach for 20 years and have swum in this area literally thousands of times, mostly alone. All those guys you see on CNN are my mates. Two of my buddies tried CPR on the poor gent, unsuccessfully. I've always considered Solana some of the safest water in the U.S., which is why this is so hard to believe. It was in 25 feet of water over sand ... yes, it was near Tabletop reef which is about 10 feet deep or so and full of sea life, but he was hit over a sandy area that doesn't have much of anything to it (usually). We never see big fish out there. Seriously, the area where he was hit is a real dead zone. I think it is just a random, bad luck, bad place at the wrong time case of mistaken identity. It is a classic white vs. sea lion attack behaviorally (rushed from the bottom, vicious hit, then waiting). Poor gent. I do not think it is a particularly dangerous area, shark-wise. In fact, I'm sure of it. I hope no one starts calling for shark hunts. We enter wilderness at a certain (albeit small) risk. Am I shaken up by this? Yes, absolutely. First thing I do when I return this summer? Swim that buoy alone.

I've lifeguarded this beach for 20 years and have swum in this area literally thousands of times, mostly alone. All those guys you see on CNN are my mates. Two of my buddies tried CPR on the poor gent, unsuccessfully. I've always considered Solana some of the safest water in the U.S., which is why this is so hard to believe. It was in 25 feet of water over sand ... yes, it was near Tabletop reef which is about 10 feet deep or so and full of sea life, but he was hit over a sandy area that doesn't have much of anything to it (usually). We never see big fish out there. Seriously, the area where he was hit is a real dead zone. I think it is just a random, bad luck, bad place at the wrong time case of mistaken identity. It is a classic white vs. sea lion attack behaviorally (rushed from the bottom, vicious hit, then waiting). Poor gent. I do not think it is a particularly dangerous area, shark-wise. In fact, I'm sure of it. I hope no one starts calling for shark hunts. We enter wilderness at a certain (albeit small) risk. Am I shaken up by this? Yes, absolutely. First thing I do when I return this summer? Swim that buoy alone.