A surfer on the north coast of New South Wales had incredible luck: a great white shark snapped at his board, biting it in two – the man remained unharmed. Eyewitnesses report dramatic scenes early Monday morning.
Attack in shallow water
The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. at the popular surfing bay Cabarita Beach. Local yoga instructor Kym Falvey witnessed how the man was suddenly thrown off half of his board. “The shark bit the board right behind him – it practically exploded,” she said. The surfer reached the shore unharmed, but his board showed a large, arched bite mark. He felt the impact on the back of his leg but was already in waist-deep water and stood on the beach seconds later.
Surfer friend Kane Douglas reported: “The board exploded, one half flew this way, the other that way. It all happened so fast – foam and debris everywhere.”
5-meter shark caught and released
Shortly after the attack, the NSW Department of Primary Industries confirmed that a great white shark about five meters long was caught on a smart drumline nearby and then released about a kilometer offshore. Authorities responded immediately: Cabarita Beach and the nearby Norries Cove were temporarily closed to the public, warning signs were posted, and two additional smart drumlines were installed. At the end of June, a 16-year-old had already been bitten by a shark in the same area.
“Like a miracle” – reactions and assessments
For the rescuers from Surf Lifesaving Far North Coast, the surfer was “very, very lucky.” Spokesman Dave Rope said: “It’s a miracle that no one was physically injured. The bite was heavy and large – the board is split into two pieces. That shows the enormous power of the shark.”
Surfboard builder Jason Jamesson was also stunned: “The board was laminated heavier and stronger than usual. The shark simply crushed it with a single bite.” The surfer involved took the experience remarkably calmly and, according to Jamesson, was mainly concerned about grabbing his son and getting to work on time.
