Capitola, Surf & Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Matt Answers – Am I Safe From Sharks at Santa Cruz Beaches?
23
Jul
Jul
Matt here, surf instructor at Capitola Beach Company. We’ve been getting a lot of phone calls recently asking if they will be safe out in the water in light of the recent shark sightings. The answer is, “Yes, you are SAFE!” when surfing Santa Cruz and Capitola Beach! Why, you may ask? The simple answer: KELP. Our local kelp forests offer extra protection, a barrier of sorts, that sits right out from the break. Below are the key reasons why you have very little to worry about during your Santa Cruz surfing experience.
Don’t worry about sharks when surfing Santa Cruz:
Shark experts will explain to you that sharks, especially great white sharks, tend not to enter very dense kelp forests and Northern California. [Read Santa Cruz and Capitola.] Our area is home to some of the most expansive kelp forests in the Pacific Oceans.- Capitola Beach, and most of the Santa Cruz surfing breaks, are surrounded by these densest kelp forests. This is what makes Santa Cruz surfing so safe for surfers, swimmers and beach goers.
- This is also why you will see prey of great white sharks, such as seals and sea lions, seeking refuge in the kelp. Very thick kelp beds surround the Santa Cruz surfing breaks and the breaks here at Capitola Beach.
While we can’t guarantee anything, the chance of an encounter is slim to none. What we can guarantee is that you will have a great time surfing Santa Cruz! We hope this helps to clear up your questions and any worries you may have!