I frequently fish Hatteras Island (OBX) sevral times a year. I routinely target sharks and have had pretty decent success. I can tell you that sharks are ALWAYS there. You are foolish if you don't think they are nearby when you are swimming in the surf. This is true of Bethany Beach, Ocean City, VA Beach, Outer Banks, Myrtle Beach, etc. As someone noted earlier, take a scenic plane ride next time you hit the beach and you will be amazed (and a bit freaked out) about how many sharks are around and how close they are.
Oddly enough, I am much more "afraid" when wading out in the water to fish than I am when pleasure swimming. It can be the same beach and only hours apart. I have no fear/issues when my kids get in the water either. It's just an odd thing.
Do keep in mind, most attacks happen in waist deep waters and many happen in water even shallower. People are bitten by accident and usually when water/weather conditions leave the water murky. Also, sharks hunt at dusk and dawn (which would also lead to poor visability). I will not go swimming just as the sun is setting. It's a shame because the beach is usually quiet, the surf usually dies down and the water seems to always been warm. But you are asking for trouble IMO.
I often go to OBX in early October each year to fish. Weather is nice. Area is void of the normal traffic. And the fishing is in prime season. This often seems to overlap with a lot of foreign vacationers. And nearly every trip, you will see some lot of 20-somethings heading out in the water around 7pm. Might as well ring the dinner bell.
I was in Avon only a handful of days following the attack on a Russian couple (from Arlington, VA) which led to the boyfriend or husband dying. Shark bit his leg off and took a peice of her ass (literally). They were swimming at dusk and a good bit off the beach. My money is on a bull. Haven't caught a big one of those yet but have had something on the end of 150# fishing line that ran like a freight train and snapped the line when I set the hook ........ just a few miles south.
They are around.