Can relate with loving the ocean part, although I can't call myself a surfer, since on the rare ocasions I get my surfboard wet the goal is trying to stand up... blame me for deciding to learn to surf 30 years later than I should! :) But do scubadive and we have to respect the locals (aka fishes big and small), after all we're the ones entering shark's home! Fingers cross you never have a close shark encounter!