http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,11472652%5E1702,00.html
Dolphins save men from shark
From correspondents in Whangarei, New Zealand
23nov04
SWIMMERS have told how a pod of dolphins protected them from a great white shark off the northeastern coast of New Zealand.
Rob Howes and three other lifeguards were on a training swim about 100 metres offshore at Ocean Beach, near Whangarei, when the dolphins raced in and herded the group together.
"They started to herd us up, they pushed all four of us together by doing tight circles around us," Mr Howe said.
When he tried to drift away from the group, two of the bigger dolphins herded him back.
He then saw why. A three metre great white shark was cruising toward the group about two metres below the surface.
"I just recoiled. It was only about two metres away from me, the water was crystal clear and it was as clear as the nose on my face," he said, adding he then realised the dolphins had moved in to protect the swimmers.
The group were surrounded by the dolphins for 40 minutes before they were able to reach the shore.