I saw an episode of muthbusters on sharks and they did a colour test thing.... should have paid more attention. I know for sure they like things that glow in the dark though!

Yeah I read about the guy in California, you gotta wonder about people who kayak and surf in an area known as the red triangle because of the number of GW attacks.

I read somewhere that 70% of 'shark attacks' were against yellow kayaks.... but further research revealed that 70% of kayaks were yellow. Numbers might be slightly out.

i was fishing off ocean beach area yesterday and had a nice size  mako  around the boat...........me mad wife wanted to put a line in for it, wouldn't be surprised if it was the same one.............

Yea thats the episode I saw, interesting but is it the colour or the food they smell thats gettin them goin?

Really though, sharks are curious, buggers. If they see ya and your pulling fish they're gonna come have a look.
How many instances have there been where peoples kayaks have actually been bitten. The rudder yes, had that a couple times myself but thankfully nothings actually bitten my kayak.

This thread has started barely two days ago and already 157 have read it.......and my guess is that quite a few are now too scared to go out in yellow yaks or any yaks for that matter.    Whilst the vast mayority of contributions to this site are valuable and informative beating the shark drum with highly speculative opinions is totally counterproductive.    It merely creates irrational fear, such as showing Jaws on TV last night at the height of the swimming season.

bugger did i miss jaws last night.  i' m thinking i might attatch a large set of trebbles to the back of my yellow kayak in a bid to catch one of these fabled beasts , i guess i must look a bit like a giant popper from below !

Umm - has anyone read todays Herald on Sunday, page 12? The return of the Taranaki Terror, 5 - 6 metre GW spotted off Waitara on Friday. DoC staff believe its an annual visitor that comes to feed on baby seals around the Sugar Loaf Islands. Personally I don't give a damn what colour my kayak is, if one of those puppies is around I don't want to be. My fear may be irrational but it would be very real in the presence of the Taranaki Terror! Take care you Naki ites.

Milkey dont paint it black according to mythbusters sharks like in order
1.black
2.silver
3.yellow

I am not sure who you are referring to Nylg, I have a yellow kayak and I'm still going fishing but have a healthy respect for Great Whites. There are areas in the world where surfers and kayakers are subject to regular attacks, fortunately a rarity in NZ. I have been surfing, diving and kayaking for over 45 years and haven't been eaten yet. The other day on a local habour I came across 2 large rays basking in shallow water, realistically I am far more likely to have a run in with one of these than a GW, and yes, getting wiped out in the car on the way to the beach is far more likely. However there is something a little bit spooky about an apex predator like the GW and if there is one cruising in your local waters being a little cautious doesn't seem to be irrational to me.