Welcome to SharkSchool™
Many divers have seen a shark or two. But who knows what the intention of the animal was when it approached, which factors affected the situation the most, or how its swim pattern should have been interpreted? SharkSchool™ focuses on the behavior of sharks with special emphasis on interacting with them. SharkSchool™ is headed by Erich Ritter PhD, the world’s only field biologist specialized in shark-human interaction and behavior.
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January 11, 2012: Available in English early March: The German written bestseller "Haie - Menschen - Begegnungen" (Sharks - Humans - Encounters). The most interaction oriented guide ever to face sharks when swimming, wading, diving... Knowing what to do, how to interpret a situation, what it means when sharks circle, approach head-on... Read about what it truly means when a shark lowers its pectoral fins, yawns, chafes, flickers... Interception rules, safety rules, guide lines, dos & don’ts... written in a concise manner to fit every travel bag.
November 8, 2011: From 2012 on: when joining an INTERACTION I or INTERACTION II workshop in the Bahamas, participants will have the opportunity to get an introductory course into freediving with sharks - for free (no prior knowledge needed).
September 7, 2011: New talks take place in January / February 1012 (Public appearances). Let us know if you like Erich Ritter / SharkSchool to give a presentation at your facility.
August 20, 2011: Seychelles' fatal incident
A lot has been written in the last few days but most is guesswork and blaming whoever can be blamed. A few days ago it supposedly was a 6 foot bull shark who killed Ian Redmond, now it likely is a white shark, as some “experts” suggested... And they keep guessing. Well, the local medical examiner should get off his high horse and discuss (!) the autopsy pictures with people who know the difference of a wound caused by a bull, a white or a tiger. THEN one has to look at the bigger picture. These multiple wounds are not just highly (!) unusual, they clearly point towards one thing: this shark did not try to figure Ian out, this shark was lured in and then acted on the situation... Wounds do tell, so why do the authorities wait? And to make it even worse: professional shark fishermen are currently flown in to catch the “rogue”... Arrogant, ignorant and stupid.
June 19, 2011: This is just plain wrong... Horta, Azores.
SPREAD THE WORD: THEY ARE ACCIDENTS
This video is part of our DVD on shark-human interaction, check our on-line shop.
or drift dive in Palau. Or you just want to shoot good pictures or make shark videos. Or maybe you are a rescue professional and want to know how to correctly act in the presence of a shark after a bite or while rescuing a victim. Or you might want to know more about bite analysis and interpretation. Whatever your intentions are, SharkSchool™ offers a variety of possibilities. If you can't find a workshop that fits your or your group's interests, we will be more than happy to tailor a course that will suit your needs, even at a destination of your choice.
Erich Ritter participated in the Belgian documentary SharkWise by training Marc Sluszny to dive with sharks safely. RELEASE: Fall 2011.
SPREAD THE WORD: SHARKS NEED YOU - BE A VOICE
Without sharks, the oceans will die
Sharks are probably the most misunderstood creatures on this planet. Feared by most, these creatures lack the much needed lobby to stop their on-going slaughtering. The killing of sharks is one of the biggest ecological time bombs. A bomb that will go off if not defused in time. Sharks have been around for over 400 million years, making them one of the most successful creatures in the animal kingdom with humans as the only true threat for their very existence. It is estimated that over 150 million sharks are killed each year because of their fins, as by-catch or through “sport” fishing.
The protection of sharks is crucial for the balance of the oceans, earth’s main producer of oxygen.
An important step towards protection is the elimination of the unsubstantiated fear of sharks and the myth surrounding them. It is human's nature to only protect what is loved, and not what is feared. However, this irrational fear of sharks needs to be eliminated and all the erroneous information erased. One way for a better understanding is the active interaction with sharks and spreading the word that there is no such thing as a dangerous shark - just dangerous situations, created by humans, knowingly, unknowingly or by third parties.
Sharksschool™ locations, new in 2011: Fiji and Tahiti
SharkSchool™ brings divers, snorkelers and swimmers closer to sharks, with the intention to show the true nature of these incredible animals.