WORLD-FAMOUS BEACH GURU SWIMS WITH SHARKS

Afraid of what might be lurking in the water when you hit the beach this summer? Sharks may be foremost on your mind, but Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman (a.k.a. Dr. Beach), the nation's foremost coastal expert and director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research, hopes to put your fears to rest. The world-famous coastal expert will separate facts from fiction, as he gets within inches of sharks at SeaWorld Orlando's Shark Encounter.

"We're all fascinated by sharks and they get all the attention, thanks to movies and overactive imaginations; however, rip currents, not sharks, are the real danger at the beach," said Leatherman, whose new book, DR. BEACH'S SURVIVAL GUIDE: What You Need to Know About Sharks, Rip Currents, & More Before Going in the Water, was written to help dispel the myths and call attention to the real hazards at the beach, in a non-threatening way. "I got the idea for a beach safety book when I received a call from a Boston father whose son drowned in a rip current and he wanted to warn people of the dangers, but I actually started writing the book during the summer of 2001, which became known as the 'Summer of the Shark'."

The book published by Yale University Press released May 23 2003, has received critical praise. Tobey Curtis from Florida Program for Shark Research finds that "This book fills an important gap. It puts the danger of shark attack in proper perspective and focuses more on the topics of true danger at the beach." In addition Keith Bellows, Editor in Chief for National Geographic Traveler said, "For those of us who love the shore, Dr. Beach's Survival Guide is a thoughtful, thorough book to pack with the suntan lotion this summer. The real payoff is his compelling argument that rip currents, not sharks, are the real coastal menace."--Keith Bellows, Editor in Chief, National Geographic Traveler

Dr. Leatherman has gone through great lengths to help others appreciate and enjoy the beach as much as he does, thus "America's Best Beaches list", released every year around Memorial Day, his latest book, Dr. Beach's Survival Guide, and on July 25, 2003, SeaWorld's Shark Encounter, an awe-inspiring underwater experience, where he will be surrounded by more than 50 sharks, placing him in the fascinating realm of the perfect predators, in order to drive the point home. "There is no need to wreck a whole vacation because of a small mistake," Dr. Leatherman said. "Know what the real hazards are and how to stay safe, so you can have a beachy time."

Dr. Beach's Survival Guide is available at participating bookstores or click HERE to order.

To request more information, please click HERE.