SHARK AT A CARNIVAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19217, 5 January 1926, Page 7

SHARK AT A CARNIVAL.

SURF RACE AEANDONED, Members of the North Narrabeen Surf Life-Having Club consider that they were fortunate that • the surf carnival held recently was not marred by a fatality, says a Sydney paper. When the water events on the programme were ncaring completion, a shark was reported in the vicinity of the buoys, where only a few minutes before many ! competitors had been swimming. A beach inspector made the discovery just as the 30 competitors in the open surf race were about to be "started.- The competitors were lined up on the beach, awaiting the starter's pistol, when the inspector reported the presence of a shark. There had been a slight delay in starting the race, as the judge's boat had not reached the buoys to watch the competitors pass round them, and this delay probably avoided an accident. Immediately the shark was reported,, the Surf Association's officials, who were conducting the carnival, decided to abandon the snrf race, which was the last water event on the programme. Many people, including women and children, were bathing outside the carnival area, when the presence of the shark was noticed. The shark bell was rung, and the water was quickly cleared. One official expressed the opinion that probably the shark had been hovering about the beach throughout the afternoon but that the disturbance of the water so many swimmers, and also by the surf boats, had deterred it from attacking the competitors.