Good catch on the paddle, you see that so often with people hiring boards shame no one tells them some basics before they try. As for the shark I had one about 2.5m do the bolt as I paddled over him in the seaway on gold coast a few weeks ago, don't know who left the biggest stain in the water me or him. He seemed to get startled by the 14' shadow over him though. All I could think was Don't fall in,Don't fall in.