Will you get bitten by a shark this year?

Is there a better way to kick off your new year than start wondering if you’re going to get bitten by a shark this year? We think not. So let’s talk about the rise of shark attacks on people.

This is really just a little pep talk to myself that I won’t get bitten or eaten by a shark in 2026. Because despite having done my research and extensively writing about sharks and surfers, the latest incident near Monterey involving a triathlete’s death by shark left me shook.

Especially as it’s been reported that the swimmer was wearing a shark band. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept: it’s an electromagnetic device that you wear on your ankle that is supposed to mess with a shark’s built-in sensory system.

This, combined with the fact that even though we only started our surf news roundup four months ago, we’ve covered shark stories 10 times, is making me feel slightly paranoid.

how rare shark attacks actually are

Shark attacks are rare. Like, really rare. And in the US they are even rarer—or is it more rare? You’ve heard the stats: you are more likely to be in a car accident driving to the beach or get struck by lightning. According to science, the chances of being bitten are incredibly small: one in 4.3 million. But despite the attacks being so rare, are they perhaps a teeny tiny bit less rare now?

We went back to do some serious shark research and returned with good news: it’s a no. No, shark attacks are no more frequent than they have ever been. If anything, the number of bites has been steadily dropping over the last decade, according to marine scientists. The reason? We are more aware of sharks than ever.

so why does it feel like sharknado?

Two reasons. One—everyone has a phone, and shark bites (or the results of shark bites) are now reported with visual evidence pretty much in real time. Our fascination with sharks knows no bounds, so these incidents are reported far and wide. The same shark story may even be covered multiple times.

And of course, there’s social media, where this stuff goes viral. So all you’re seeing is: shark, shark, shark. No wonder we’re freaking out.

Reason number two—and this is perhaps more specific to the US. More people than ever now live on the coast—30 percent, to be precise. This means more folks going to the beach and taking up ocean sports. You do the math.

If you want to know more about how to avoid encounters with sharks, we do have a pod on that. Wait—oops—we have two pods on that. And this is why it feels like we’re living in Jaws.

Author: The Wipeout Weekly team