Helicopter Tour Video

[bob_stl]

I thought I had posted these here, but don't see that I did. This was from a tour with Panhandle Helicopter this past September. Definitely worth the price!

Part 1 (shark in water at end of this clip)
https://vimeo.com/37032166

Part 2 (that's a dolphin behind the wave runner at the inlet)
https://vimeo.com/37032165

[swn5363]

Great vids Bob - thanks for sharing! The chopper ride is worth every penny!

And, wow, that shark was only 30 or 40 yards from those folks in the water.

I've been swimming in these waters all my life and I don't hesitate to take my kids, etc. But every once in a while, videos like this remind me to be aware of my surroundings and not to go out too deep. Black tips and other sharks run in that channel just north of the sandbar... which isn't too far off the shore.

[bob_stl]

Yeah, and it looks more amazing than the video can show.

I think the rip currents are as dangerous as the wildlife too. When I was 12, we were vacationing down there and I was on a raft and the next thing I knew, I was out over the second sand bar and darn near in the open gulf. Not a good place to be for shark bait or panicking. I finally made it back in, probably about 1/2 mile from where I started.

Are there any plans to make the forum compatible with videos on Vimeo? I'm switching over to Vimeo from Youtube. If not, I'll just have to post links when I get new vids.

[swn5363]

We'll add Vimeo...

And, yes - the rip currents are definitely the most dangerous part of the Gulf for swimmers.

For our new visitors, here's a tip on the flag warning system and what to do if you get caught in a rip current: Swimmer's Safety: Rip Currents and Beach Warning Flags for the Emerald Coast