NorCal surfers: Beware of the Red Triangle

GINOCHIO’S KITCHEN & SONOMA CONCIERGE

January 21, 2022

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GO BACK IN THE WATER or have some fun with friends, it’s either sharks or Covid that will get you! Not sure which one is worse at this point. Great Whites biting and chasing you or Covid taking your breath away and possibly your life? How do we find comfort in these difficult times? Well, some folks surf knowing they are in one corner of the great white shark “Red Triangle” and others stay home to feel safe whether mandatory or self-imposed due to Covid, a shark in its own right!

JUST WHAT IS THE RED TRIANGLE? Recently a couple of surfers at Salmon Creek Beach in Bodega Bay were “chased” by an aggressive White Shark biting their surfboard leash and an attack last October critically injuring a surfer. The triangle area is bounded by Bodega Bay, Big Sur and the Farallon Islands and nearly half of the recorded white shark attacks on humans occur in this area with over 80% recorded shark fatalities are north of Point Conception. Well, that will scare you, right? It’s about statistics as the numbers are small but I’m sure to the person being chased or bit, there is no such thing as small shark encounter. But the risk generally of being injured or killed by a great white shark off California is tiny. A study published by Stanford scientists in 2015 found a 1-in-17 million risk of a surfer being attacked by a white shark off California. When I used to abalone dive, you might get an underwater “bump” and think “oh no it’s a shark,” but after accidentally warming up the inside of your wetsuit you realize it is just a seal…a favorite shark meal! Back in my kayak I go…

NOW ON TO THE COVID BEAST & BODEGA BAY! Most of us are vaccinated and boosted but are the tourists? Some of you may have heard and received your ticket refund for the Chamber’s clam chowder day that is a celebration of all the clam chowders offered in Bodega Bay. It was canceled for the second year running due to Covid and subsequent Sonoma County Health Orders. With infections spiraling out of control, we get it but what is the use of a “voluntary” shelter in place order when you live in a tourist town other than make store or restaurant proprietors the enforcer? Some residents said they did not want the visitors bringing in the virus during the event. We have had this challenge since day one when we were inundated with visitors with nowhere else to go but the beach. Fresh air is life saving in so many ways and brings comfort during these very difficult times. So, another event is canceled due to COVID. May it save lives, but it certainly can kill businesses. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES PLEASE!

ARE WE CONSOLIDATED YET? As I write this, I don’t know if Bodega Bay Fire District has consolidated with Sonoma County Fire. So many of my readers sent me emails saying they were confused as they thought it was a done deal many months ago! No, absolutely not. We believe by February we will know the Board of Supervisors decision as it is on their agenda end of January. Will we be celebrating or still swimming with the sharks?

70 LUXURY HOMES FOR SALE IN BODEGA BAY? WHAT? Yes, the Harbor View subdivision that has been fraught with numerous lawsuits against long ago bankrupt builders has finally been finished and they are now listed for sale. Talk about the pro/con game! If you want more taxes from our unincorporated town to go into the County General Fund, you are thrilled! Some monies will trickle to our underfunded beloved Bodega Bay Fire. We wish our crumbling infrastructure would benefit somehow from this massive influx. On the bright side, the owner/builder of these luxury homes does provide some of the only low-income housing in Bodega Bay. It is very unfortunate that workers supporting our local businesses can’t afford the price tag of $1.1 to $2 Million. Maybe a local’s discount would help?? Or, rather than buying as a vacation rental, you make it a long-term rental at a reasonable monthly rental rate? I know I’m just dreaming… If you are interested in purchasing, they are listed with Sonoma Coast Living 707-377-4362 www.harborviewatbodegabay.com/

Patty Ginochio is owner of Ginochio’s Kitchen & Sonoma Concierge.
EMAIL: pgino519@yahoo.com PHONE: 707-331-6722

After spending most of her career relocating corporate employees around the world, she began two successful family businesses in the coastal town of Bodega Bay, California with her daughter Alicia and her husband Paul. Patty has been coming to Bodega Bay her entire life and moved to the coastal town 12 years ago.

Patty is Vice President of Waves of Compassion Foundation, offering the first food pantry for the coastal community; Director for Bodega Bay CERT, helping Bodega Bay be prepared for a local disaster & Director for Bodega Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, assisting local businesses manage the unique coastal business environment. She began the Bodega Bay Collaborative, a group dedicated to providing information to the residents of Bodega Bay on the opportunities and challenges in their beloved village. Patty currently is serving as an appointee of Supervisor Hopkins on the Sonoma County Tourism Board of Directors. She was recognized by the Sonoma County Tourism Board with the Hospitality of the Year 2018 award for her leadership role during the 2017 Firestorm, as well as by Congressman Mike Thompson and Supervisor, Susan Gorin. She was also the recipient of the 2020 Community Member of the year award from Bodega Bay Fire Protection District. Patty was selected for the North Bay Spirit Award from the Press Democrat.

Patty enjoys hiking the Sonoma Coast, many times leading the hike offering bits of history with the goal that others will love & respect the coast as much as she does.