They were testing this technology on the Discovery Channel with another one those crazy Australian adventure guys (not Steve Irwin aka Crocodile Hunter). The version on the television show was akin to a "bang stick", but with a sensor on the end that apparently disrupts the electrical field enough to repel the shark. No significant current is actually emitted from the device, which I'm guessing is what is going into these surfboards (especially given the Australian connection). On the show they tested the stick on white tip sharks, which are apparently the most aggresive of all species (according to the host). They sure did seem aggressive - approaching without fear, and without any signs of struggle from the divers. The stick was "poked" at our around the shark's snout and caused an immediate reaction, but obviously would not be a deterrent for more than one or two sharks, nor would it be a long-term deterrent. In other words, given enough time in the water, the sharks eventually came back again.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
C Cummings @ Dec 19th 2005 12:03AM
They were testing this technology on the Discovery Channel with another one those crazy Australian adventure guys (not Steve Irwin aka Crocodile Hunter). The version on the television show was akin to a "bang stick", but with a sensor on the end that apparently disrupts the electrical field enough to repel the shark. No significant current is actually emitted from the device, which I'm guessing is what is going into these surfboards (especially given the Australian connection). On the show they tested the stick on white tip sharks, which are apparently the most aggresive of all species (according to the host). They sure did seem aggressive - approaching without fear, and without any signs of struggle from the divers. The stick was "poked" at our around the shark's snout and caused an immediate reaction, but obviously would not be a deterrent for more than one or two sharks, nor would it be a long-term deterrent. In other words, given enough time in the water, the sharks eventually came back again.