Roping Sharks

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 590, 16 February 1929, Page 27

Roping Sharks

Exciting Work in Bondi Surf THE OFFICIAL “TAILER” Have you heard of Dick Bennett, official shark “tailer” and bait-slinger for the fishermen of Bondi Beach? Up to his waist in water, he has given first shore welcome to 250 sharks by tying a rope around their tails, says the Sydney “Telegraph.” About two years ago Bennett decided that sitting on the beach was too dull. So he learned the art of “tailing,” and now lives a hectic life chasing sharks at the first breaker. He baits the hooks for the fishermen,

wades into the surf, and throws them far out. His work is then over until the bite comes. After the shark has been brought close to the beach he enters the water with a rope, and manoeuvres until he lassoes the tall of the monster. Some may consider the game dangerous. Bennett thinks it has just enough spice to keep it interesting. The rope firmly round the tail, the shark is hauled to the beach without straining the rod and line of the fisherman. “Of course, you are lucky if you don't get up to your neck in water, and you have to be careful, because, even when hooked, the shark can bite,” says Dick. “It gives you a creepy feeling when one opens its mouth near your legs and kind of snorts at you. It gives you the impression that you are being sucked in. His Narrow Escape “The narrowest escape I have had? One night a grey nui-se was caught.

Grey nurses go in pairs, and I went into the water to 'tail' the one hooked. I saw a shark, and chased it about for a time, but could not get near it. "When I looked up I found the men had moved down the beach, playing the one on the line. I had been trying to 'tail* the unhooked mate! Gee. i was scared. If I had got the rope around its tail I'd have had supper in New Zealand.” Bennett, has found all kinds of articles inside sharks. A two-shilling piece was inside one, and often their stomachs become money-boxes, yielding many pennies. In one he found a small jam-tin.