The 42-year-old German scientist Jens Heller narrowly survived a shark attack while surfing without injury. On Saturday afternoon, he was sitting on his surfboard about 100 metres off the coast of Montara State Beach when he was suddenly attacked by a large shark. The shark bit into his board, just a few centimetres from Heller’s thigh. He fell into the water but quickly regained his composure and paddled safely back to shore. Fortunately, he remained uninjured.
“My lucky day”
Heller, who had travelled from Albany with his wife and six-month-old daughter, appeared remarkably calm after the incident. “It was my lucky day,” he told the authorities. “I thought if the shark really wanted to get me, it would.” The authorities closed the beach for 48 hours to prevent further incidents. Heller plans to go surfing again soon. “Such encounters are rare,” he emphasised.