Man meeting Shark!

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by e14724

I'd hate to be the one washing his smalls after that.

Why's that then.


You know I don't approve of the prat, doesn't matter Yank or Aussie.

[stew]

Originally Posted by Paul Oliver

I think i would have got a bit carried away myself

me aswell.
didnt look like the guy interfered with the shark much.
the shark was free to swim away at any time but appeared to roll over to have its belly rubbed rather like a dog.
he obviously intended to caused the animal no harm, while i think we would all like to say we would just sit & watch if one swam by, i think in reality, most of use would want to approach.

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by stew

he obviously intended to caused the animal no harm, while i think we would all like to say we would just sit & watch if one swam by, i think in reality, most of use would want to approach.

You are a bit out of line with my thinking at least. As a for instance, on a recent Red Sea trip, a turtle came right up to me but was able to enjoy it without feeling the need to scream at it nor pat it on its head.

I also believe the less you chase them the closer they'll come to you .... ability to hold station may be an essential skill for the deco diver but it's pretty helpful when looking at squidge too.

Mal

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by stew

me aswell.
didnt look like the guy interfered with the shark much.

You are joking aren't you. So in your view how much interference is too much.

[Stesh]

Originally Posted by Fiona

You are joking aren't you. So in your view how much interference is too much.

[David]

not agreeing with touching stuff... the shark would of left much quicker than he did, it did also seem to roll over much like being at a cleaning station.

that vid seems fine might be better without the sound :-)

[CotoChris]

Yesterday i was talking to this guy who has a Dive travel agency. He was bragging about on Garlapagos how he held on to a whale shark. Thinking he was impressing me I told him he was a total prat - you ghould have seen his face.

As to this video I don't think the bloke manhandle the shark. I did more than I would have but less than what a lot of prats would do.

Personally I would get an underwater orgasm by seeing these creatures without touching them, other people may feel different.

[stew]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

You are a bit out of line with my thinking at least. As a for instance, on a recent Red Sea trip, a turtle came right up to me but was able to enjoy it without feeling the need to scream at it nor pat it on its head.

i don't think you actually read what i said before answering, so i shall repeat...

' i think in reality, most of us would want to approach.'

the key word there being approach, not shouting, screaming or patting anything on the head & i think most divers would like to approach closer to a whale shark if they could as it would probably be a once in a life time opportunity, unlike your turtles head.
i know i would as i shoot video & that would be my reason for it.
i don't think the diver caused any harm, although i would not have done what he did myself.
i don't agree with anyone 'abusing' animals in any way shape or form, whether that be in the sea or not.
when under the water, i don't touch animals either but i think that some people take things to the extreme. (this isn't directed at you personally Mal) they sit there and preach about how no one should do this or that, but these are the same people who stand on Nudibranches getting in the water, crush reef-life when training, eat fish & chips for their tea & happily stand by to see their fish dinner hand picked from Tesco's meat department.

the guy touched a shark, he got excited & cheered (embarrassingly), the shark was unharmed... end of story.

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by stew

i don't think you actually read what i said before answering, so i shall repeat....

You may have misread my post ... you said most would want to approach ... I pointed out *I* wouldn't .... I find close encounters come from not approaching.....I don't presume to speak on behalf of others.

Mal

[Helen F H]

Is it me, or does the shark roll over to get its tummy scratched?

Maybe it was saying (in whaleshark) left a bit, up up up, ohhhh thats the spot

It could have splatted him with its tail at any moment, so im a bit split on the whole touching thing. I dont think i would touch one though.