IanG

This is a fine story, You describe the setting and build suspense very well. You also bring in a big contemporary issue, the lithium mining or potential for it.

This is fine descriptive writing and a good coming of age piece. I hope you keep writing like this.

I'd have written "there was no escape as the sharks were gaining on him." Please take that as constructive critcism as the basic plot is a good one. Animal lovers will like it.