Abstract
To the Editor:
The recent report on sea kayaking mishaps in New Zealand significantly adds to our knowledge about the epidemiology and medical aspects of untoward incidents occurring in this increasingly popular sport. 1 No shark attacks were included among the 50 incidents analyzed by Bailey, 1 although an attack on a kayaker along Northland's east coast in 2005 2 underscores that there is a measureable risk of such encounters even in places like New Zealand, where shark attacks of any type are exceptionally rare.
While highly unusual, shark attacks on sea kayakers have been reported from multiple locations around the world, with most of these encounters being reported from California and South Australia. The incident that particularly raised consciousness about this potential hazard, and the first reported incident along California's coast, occurred near Malibu in southern California in January 1989 (Warren Lovell, MD, Ventura County Medical Examiner-Coroner, personal communication, May 15, 1989). 3 In this instance, the body of 1 of 2 kayakers was recovered 2 days after she and her companion were reported missing. It was determined that she died from exsanguination due to massive soft tissue trauma of her left thigh and buttock and other injuries consequent to bites from a great white shark. Injuries to her upper extremities indicated that she had attempted to defend herself from the attack (Warren Lovell, MD, Ventura County Medical Examiner-Coroner, personal communication, January 25, 1990). The body of her male companion was never found. Their two kayaks were found lashed together, upside down, with one of them having holes in it typical of a shark bite, as well as fractures of the hull indicative of being struck from below with great force. The precipitating circumstances of the attack are unknown.
Since 1989, multiple additional close encounters with sharks have been reported by sea kayakers at numerous locations along California's coast. Other than emotional trauma, these incidents are not known to have resulted in significant injury to the kayakers, although the mysterious disappearance of a kayaker in June 2010 not far from where the 1989 incident occurred has given rise to speculation that he was the victim of a shark attack. His kayak and backpack were recovered and not found to have signs of shark bites.
Shark attacks on sea kayakers also have been reported from Hawaii, South Africa, and the Gulf of Mexico, among other places. Great white sharks are by far the most often identified offending species, although tiger, bull, and mako sharks have been implicated in a few cases. A few of these encounters have involved persons fishing from kayaks; several have involved kayakers paddling in proximity to pinnipeds.
In addition to encounters with sharks, kayakers have been attacked by crocodiles and alligators in waters known to harbor these predators. Hippopotamuses are well known for attacking small surface craft, including kayaks, in Africa. One instance of a Stellar sea lion attacking a kayak has been reported from Prince William Sound in Alaska. 4
Bailey found that poor judgment and inadequate skills were the most frequent contributing factors to sea kayaking mishaps, 1 similar to the causes of untoward occurrences in other outdoor sports. In view of the very small but real possibility of encounters with sharks and, depending on location, other large aquatic predators, and the potential for significant harm to result from such encounters, kayakers should be knowledgeable about the risk factors for and nature of attacks by such animals and be prepared to deal with potentially hostile encounters.