Teen’s surf ski attacked by ‘red-eyed’ shark 2km offshore at Glenelg, victim vows to get back in the water

A day after a shark took a bite out of a teenager’s surf ski at Glenelg, he has vowed to get back in the water as soon as possible.

The bite marks can be seen on the surf ski. Picture: Dan Demaria

A day after a shark took a bite out of Jed Ffrench’s surf ski at Glenelg, he has vowed to get back in the water.

The 17-year-old was paddling with a group of teenagers about 2km off the shore at Glenelg on Tuesday evening when he felt a “big thud” and saw a “red-eyed shark” taking a bite out of his surf ski.

The boys, a group of training Surf Life Savers, were about 2km from the shore, further out to sea than they usually train.

The Ffrench family released a statement on Wednesday, and said Jed was shaken by the incident, but not afraid to get back into the water again.

“Jed was shaken and is very thankful to be back on dry land,” the statement read.

“This won’t deter him from getting back in the ocean as soon as possible.”

Jed Ffench next to his surf ski after paddling ashore. Picture: Dan Demaria

Jed Ffench, 17, was about 2km off shore at Glenelg and felt a big thud when a shark bit his surf ski. Picture: Dan Demaria

They could not gauge the size of the shark, but distinctly remembered its “bright red eyes” staring at them in the water.

The shark disappeared, prompting the group of boys to paddle as quickly as they could back to shore.

A separate group of Surf Life Savers Nippers were also training at the time, and evacuated the water.

None of the teenagers were injured. The shark may have been a bronze whaler.

SLSSA Lifesaving & Emergency Operations Manager Daniel Willetts said the incident should not worry beachgoers, as the teenagers were far away from shore, and it is common to spot sharks at that distance.

“Go about your normal business and if you do hear the shark alarm, stay calm and evacuate the water. Don’t be deterred,” he said.

“They’re a long way from shore, beach goers shouldn’t be alarmed.”

Mr Willetts added the boys are shaken, but are in good spirits and are “smiling and laughing” about their brush with jaws.