Swimming with sharks

DETERMINED to prove that not everything in Australia eats you, Cathy Finch jumps into a pool of deadly looking sharks and immediately wishes she hadn't.

"WHEN I'm ready for you to come into the water I'll tug on your foot," says Jeremy, our fearless dive leader.

"I'll pull really hard so that you know it's me and not something else latching on to your toes."

We are about to plunge into a tank full of razor-sharp teeth and giant personalities. He can see some of us are nervous.

"When you first get into the water, just back yourself up against the wall," he continues.

"That way you can see what is above and below you and nothing is peering over your shoulder. I just want to give you a chance to get comfortable."

Mooloolaba's Underwater World on the Sunshine Coast is an entry into another life, that of awesome sharks, enormous rays and colourful schools of fish. A maximum of five divers is allowed in the tank at one time, and most of our group have not used scuba before.

Jeremy has had a whirlwind scuba lesson with the non-divers and we kit up and throw some heavy bricks of lead into our pockets. It's time to meet the residents.

Facing your demons

The fierce-looking grey nurse is the giant that gets the heartbeat racing. Intimidating teeth gleam like frozen icicles as a heartless smile glides from the dark. The trash-talking Kiwi in our group cowers in a corner with arms over face, plainly anxious about this huge grey-brown bulk circling above him. The old girl plays on his fear, swimming in close and then dragging her tail across his face.

In reality the grey nurse is docile and although protected since 1984 the species remains Australia's most endangered shark.

There are many species in the tank: fuzzy-faced wobbegongs, sleek whaler sharks, shovel-nosed sharks and huge fantail rays.

The tank – 40m long, 25m wide and 3m deep – provides an exhilarating half-hour underwater. Seeing such a concentration of fish is a rare treat.

I return to Scuba World to pick up my pictures.

"Cathy, these guys need some reassurance," says the boss, waving me over. I turn my attention to the potential diving couple towering above me – tall and strong but strangely nervous.

"Oh, it's brilliant," I gush.

"All these huge, big creatures with the most amazing teeth. It's an awesome experience."

Unfortunately my comments aren't having the desired effect.

"I have an American wife here, honey," the gent drawls.

"For years I've been telling her that everything in Australia eats you."

I point out that this may not be the best preparation for throwing her into a tank of sharks, "but if it's any consolation, you look way more scared than she does. Enjoy your dive."

Fear aside, we know he will. Everyone does.