Shark Attacks On the Rise in Florida [VIDEO]

If you are planning on heading down to Florida for Spring Break watch yourself as Shark Attacks are on the rise in the Sunshine State, passing Hawaii.

According to the University of Florida Gainsville 26 shark attacks occurred in Florida in 2012, and 60% of the victims were surfers. Now granted they are out way further in the ocean than the average beach goer, and  are very vulnerable when  paddling out to a wave, or sitting with their legs dangling off the board.

While shark attacks generally are very rare it is always important to be aware of your surroundings. When I was a kid I was obsessed with sharks, due to the movie Jaws, and I read everything I could get my hands about them.

One time while I was in Florida on Sanibel Island, a friend of mine and I were out pretty far in the water due to low tide. She spotted a fin in the water and yelled Shark super loud.I was yelling back to her that they were a pod of dolphins and not to run back into shore, but it is hard to hear someone as you are screaming running back towards the beach.

For myself I love swimming in the ocean, and have a healthy respect for it's power and the creatures that call it home. Even with these latest statistics If I had the chance I would be out in the water in a heart beat!