Contact with Sharks at Marina Del Ray

I never before saw sharks in nature. We are at “Mother’s Beach” in Marina Del Ray for my first stand up paddeling exercises. It’s my premiere on a longboard, my friend is giving my some hints, shows me how to hold the paddle, to keep balance. I go out and after a little while I’m feeling pretty comfortable on the board. I do big circles, then decide to paddle back to the beach where my friend is waiting, being in good mood because it went so good. All of a sudden, down on the ground, some huge, dark shadows are catching my eyes. The biggest one, about my size, is closed to my left side, four feet. Not more. It’s a fish. A big one. The sun is reflecting in the water, it takes a moment to figure the shape of this creature, the sharp triangle on it’s back. A shark! There, from the right, comes another one followed by one smaller animal. So closed to the beach the water isn’t deep, not even two feet. Two of the sharks are about my size. I’m focusing, holding up the paddle, stirring in the water. What a breathtaking trill! The whole appearance takes two, three minutes- then they make a sharp left turn to the open sea and disappear. Only some moments later, back at the beach I jump off the board and a young man yells to me “Sharks! - Get out! Get out of the water!” It takes a little while till the small group, mostly surfers, come to me, asking me if I saw them. I get to know it was sand sharks. Inquisitive, shy- but harmless. But – one thing for shure: I will not forget this experience with this power- and graceful creatures.