SHARK ATTACK Surfer had to fight off shark to rescue girl, punching the animal

Miami Herald ^ | 6/26/05 | MONICA HATCHER

[ppaul]

Summer is here.

[ppaul]

[TheOtherOne]

Good for that guy.



Since this is America . . . when is his book coming out?

[MaryFromMichigan]

Summer is here.

So here is a little box with a red X in it?

[brytlea]

We've been on the beach when the lifeguards tell people to get out because there's a shark, and some people just ignore them. Not me!!!
This is such a sad story. I realize the odds are very small of getting bitten much less killed by a shark, but what an awful way to go.
I pray for her family.
susie

[Old Grumpy]

He had a lot of courage to hit the shark, especially from a surfboard.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

Brave guy. Too bad the girl had lost too much blood to be saved.

[SMARTY]

Something in the water bigger than me??? Time to get out.

[Red Badger]

This sad incident happened here over the weekend. JAWS II was filmed here in the late 70's or early 80's............

[Pessimist]

You here the word "hero" thrown around all too often these days - and often inappropriately. But in my book the guy who tried to rescue her rightfully deserves that title.

[Lost Highway]

Tim Dicus

Exactly how does one pronounce that?

[brytlea]

You're right, he was a real hero. He admitted he was afraid. That is what bravery is. You are afraid, but you do what needs to be done anyway.
susie

[Millee]

Mr. Dicus is a hero in my book. God bless him for his efforts.

[brytlea]

On foxnews this morning (with him right there) they pronounced it with a long I sound....
susie

[beachn4fun]

''This was not a normal Florida attack,'' Burgess said.

They say this every time, don't they?

[Tarpon]

I saw the surfer guy on TV, he said he never hit the shark, never was bumped by the shark. In one instance the shark swam towards him -- He said he then slapped the water with his hands and the shark swam away -- that's about par for bull shark. They are not very big, eight feet is max size, but most are much smaller. They are not overly aggressive, generally not attacking humans, but YMMV.

He also said he planned to go back surfing as soon as the beach opened as he knew the shark have been there all along and didn't worry him.

These shark are all along the beaches of the gulf every summer. I remember 35 years ago flying out of Tampa and seeing hundreds of these bull shark just out of sight of the swimmers -- probably 100-200 yards from the beach.

Media hype not withstanding, if you swim with sharks you need to know a little about them. A divers knife strapped to your leg is much more effective than is punching them in the nose. Fortunately I have had to do neither. I surf fish and a sure way to have a shark bite you is to tie caught fish to your belt. Best to take any caught fish to the shore.

[jtminton]

It was the third unprovoked fatality this year, he said.

How many provoked fatalities were there?

[Paradox]

A 54 year old surfer? I can just picture that guy, still in the "dude" phase of life.. but ya know what? He is a HERO in my eyes, and deserves alot of credit.

[freekitty]

Very sad story. Mr. Dicas is a hero.

[ruiner]

250 yards is a pretty long way out there, isn't it?