I just wanted to know if anyone has ever encountered sharks or alligators while kayaking? If so, what happened? Note: There may have been a topic like this posted before but I missed it.

I've frequently encountered alligators while paddling. Even the large gators have been fairly timid and submerge as you get close. Along the banks they just watch you paddle by. More likely to be struck by lightening then attascked by an alligator.

I wonder the same about sea lions. I know these things are usually no trouble, but they are wild creatures and can be unpredictable. I normally avoid getting too close to them, but sometimes they pop up right close and it spooks the beejeebers out of me.

Yes, my wife and I have kayaked around aligators in Georgia freshwater areas on occassion with no trouble (so far), but it makes me nervous when the aligators decide to slide down into the water from the bank just as we are passing by them. Sometimes they follow us for a while and then dissappear. Kind of scary... I think we need a bigger boat.

We also seem to have alligators that hang around in saltwater areas, even in at the mouth of the Atlantic Ocean. Maybe that's normal, I don't know. I never thought that sharks and alligators could share the same habitat (with the exception of the Bull Shark).

Not me thank goodness! I'm only worried about two legged's who might want my beer.

Careful DNR,

A few blokes have not come back from paddling trips with their wives in the Northern Territory where we have Salt Water Crocs.

Buy her some flowers every now and then just to be on the safe side.

Cheers

Bill

A friend of mine was kayaking from queensland to new guinea a few years ago and had something of a scare with some reef sharks attacking their boats. i think she also had a few scares from crocs, and there big ones up there.
there were a group from new south wales, that's one of our states, who were paddling in the same area and one of them got attacked. apparently one of the other party members jumped on the crocs bag dundee style and proceeded to wrestle or stab it or something. i can't remember the exact story but you will be able to find it on the new south wales sea kayaking club's website. look it up, it makes for some interesting reading
lachlan

No sharks or alligators in southern BC, but there's a lot of really hungry bears. Although smaller than their african relatives, Fraser River hippos are quite aggressive, too.

I too have met a few of those hippo's. They are not friendly in the morning!

Fraser River Hippos????
Must be a Canadian joke.