Most of us wouldn't dare to dip our toes in shark infested waters, but as Perth Woman discovered, diving with the sharks at AQWA is more fun than ferocious.

Most of us don't think about sharks until there's a shark attack all over the news. Or when an actor enters the ocean in a Hollywood film and we sit on the edge of our seats waiting for the expected encounter. With all this bad press, it's not surprising that the idea of going for swim with these frightening creatures sounds nothing short of terrifying.

In reality, most sharks are relatively docle animals, more interested in relaxing on the ocean floor than chasing lone swimmers. The 2 to 4 meter grey nurse shark is one such example. With needle-like teeth lining the outside of their mouths the grey nurse looks menacing but is more interested in fish than flesh.

At the Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA) visitors can go for a swim with these intimidating beings. Naturallu inquisitive, the grey nurse will often approach divers and snorkellers as they explore AQWA's Shipwreck Coast Aquarium. The sharks and stingrays that inhabit the aquarium might swim past and brush against their visitors, but you can't touch them back.

The first time a diver meets a shark is different for everyone. Sometimes the sharks themselves are scared away by an approaching swimmer. Most likely they will just continue what they were doing and wait for you to leave them alone.

When Perth Woman visited AQWA, we watched 17 year old Amy taking a dip with the 3 meter grey nurse sharks. Amy's aunt gave her the gift certificate for Christmas and she couldn't have been more excited! Amy explained that the sharks wouldn't harm her so there was no reason to be nervous (that didn't stop her Mum from worrying though!). In the water the divers were allowed to search for sharks' teeth to take home as souvenirs and Amy found four of them. While  Amy has been diving with sharks before, she was in love with the experience at AQWA and told us she would definately do it again.

Running into a shark in the open ocean is always a possibility for divers, however it will always be safer to encounter them in a controlled environment. For those who still aren't willing to jump in the deep end, you can view the sharks from dry land at AQWA's aquarium.

For the AQWA dive you need full diving equipment, including a wetsuit, gloves, and all air tanks and breathing equipment. If you are feeling unequipped, don't fret, you have the option of hiring some or all of the equipment. The dive experience takes about 2 hours including the comprehensive diver brief and the 30- 40 minute guided dive with the sharks. The cost of the dive includes enrty to all of AQWA's exhibits, complimentary tea or coffee to warm you up after the dive, 10% off at the cafe and book shop on the day and 20% of entry for up to four people to come and watch you dive.



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