I suspect millions of people are like me and are afraid of sharks for one reason: Jaws. That movie did more to harm the reputation of a living creature than any other in history.
However, though shark attacks are rare, they do occur from time to time. The latest, the first one in Florida for five years, has seen kiteboarder Stephen Schafer die after he was surrounded and attacked by more than one shark.
The 38-year-old was surfing 500 yards off shore when he was allegedly attacked. He was taken to hospital with multiple wounds, some of which show he tried to fight the sharks off, but died later in hospital.
I can’t imagine how scary it must be to see that stalking silhouette in the water underneath you. Knowing that in the water you have next to no powers of escape from this animal which has evolved to be a lean, mean fighting machine.
