Kings School cancels rowing after Parramatta River shark breach
Updated ,first published
Incredible video captured the moment a suspected bull shark jumped from the Parramatta River and landed meters away from a private school’s rowing practice.
Experts say the shark is doing one of four things: shaking off parasites, chasing prey, communicating or running away from an even larger shark.
King’s School has suspended all small boat training after a suspected bull shark breached Silverwater on Monday, landing 30 meters away from students at the training camp.
The videographer said, “Damn it—!” he says.
The shocked students returned to the pontoon without incident.
Department of Primary Industries senior scientist and bull shark expert Dr. Amy Smoothey said the breach was “not uncommon behavior” for bull sharks, but it was rare to capture it on video.
“I’m so jealous,” Smoothey said. “I haven’t seen it in the past 16 years. It’s pretty rare to catch it, and so I’m really excited that someone was able to demonstrate this ability of the shark.”
He estimates the shark to be just under two meters long and weigh around 85kg.
“This has a high energetic cost for the shark,” he said. “There must be a reason why this behavior is the way it is. Was it a violation to dislodge the parasites from the shark? For hunting? A violation for avoiding predators? And for social interactions?”
In a statement to parents, The King’s School said it had responded with “an enhanced range of precautionary measures” to ensure the safety of students.
“As you know from media reports, recent weather events have increased shark activity along the harbor and on our beaches, with tragic consequences,” the statement said.
The school suspended all small boat training and only four- and eight-pack boats were allowed on the water. Instructors were assessing conditions “with increased caution.”
“Above water sessions will be canceled if conditions increase the risk of capsizing.”
A school spokesman said that although “a flipper has occasionally been spotted” during training sessions, this was the first time the school had witnessed a breach and “it was never filmed”.
Sunday’s massive downpour was a major factor behind a cluster of shark attacks in Sydney and NSW this week that led to beach closures and increased shark patrols. The attacks include the wounding of surfer Andre de Ruyter at North Steyne Beach on Monday evening and the attack on 12-year-old Nico Antic, who jumped from a rock in Vaucluse on Sunday afternoon. He is not expected to survive his injuries.
Bull sharks come close to shore for eight days after heavy rainfall, according to Australian research, and experts warn the risk of shark attacks could continue to rise into the long weekend.
While people may feel safer inside a watercraft and have a lower risk of encountering a shark, Smoothey said DPI’s advice is the same for all water users.
“Whether you are swimming, surfing, paddling, kayaking or paddling, water users need to be careful in the summer and fall,” he said.
Emily Kowal is the education correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
