Shark Week in Vancouver

The Discovery Channel being one of the only reasons John and I flip on the tele, I know that Shark Week is coming up. Yesterday on CNN (okay I guess another reason) they were interviewing a woman who filmed her own shark attack, and this morning on CFOX they had a dude from the Vancouver Aquarium in studio talking about its very own Shark Week.

Photo credit: md&r on Flickr

Join the Vancouver Aquarium in celebrating these often-feared, yet fascinating, fish and learn about their important role in the ocean’s ecosystem. Dive into another world and discover the mysteries of life under water as you tour the Aquarium’s many shark-friendly exhibits: Dive shows, Shark feeds, and Hands-on activities. [AZA]

Apparently there are 12 species of shark in BC waters, hardly any of them are harmful to humans. The Aquarium guy said that maybe if you’re on a surf board you might look like a seal to a shark so splash around and be as “human” as possible to deter them. Aside from the dozens of razor-sharp teeth, swimming in deep ocean just creeps the bejesus outta me, you never know what’s gonna appear from below and ‘tickle’ your toes…

If the Aquarium is your cup o’ tea, check out the shark-specific action starting July 29th (open 9:30 am to 7:00 pm during the summer months). Now since Adult Admission is $19.95, Youths $14.95, Kids $11.95 and ‘3 and under’ are free… it’s doesn’t exactly quality for my “cheap things to do” or “cheap fun” category. But if you happen to be walking in Stanley Park near the old zoo’s bear habitat and artist’s circle, you can access the little pathway near the back side of the Aquarium, behind the seal and beluga tanks, to get an inexpensive perspective on the events taking place therein. However, you won’t be able to catch any Shark Week action from there, maybe just a couple playful seals and belugas.