Woman fights off shark at Hyams Beach with ‘Mick Fanning-inspired punch’

A Sydney mother has revealed how she managed to fight off the 2m shark on the state’s south coast with a “Mick Fanning-inspired punch”.

A Sydney mother has revealed she let rip a “Mick Fanning inspired punch” to fight off a shark that attacked her as she swam at a popular south coast beach.

The 42-year-old suffered 10 puncture wounds to her upper right thigh but managed to fight off the 2m shark as she swam laps at Hyams Beach, Vincentia just after 6am on Tuesday.

“I was bitten by a bronze whaler but thankfully missed any major blood vessels,” the woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The Sunday Telegraph.

“A Mick Fanning-inspired punch got rid of the shark but I certainly did not swim to shore with any grace.

Aussie surfer Mick Fanning famously fought off a shark with a punch. Picture: Red Bull.

The Sydney woman was attacked by a bronze whaler shark. Picture: Andrew Fox

She described herself as “more stupid” than brave, “breaking the rule of shark safety by swimming too early”.

“And with these higher water temperatures the sharks are close and will remain so with climate warming.”

About 20 minutes into her swim and 30m offshore, the keen swimmer who visits the south coast with her family every year, felt a jolt to the middle of her body.

The woman was attacked by a shark at Hyams Beach at Jervis Bay. Picture: iStock

She reacted by punching down and making contact with a shark, a police spokesman said.

“The victim who was wearing prescription goggles has immediately noticed a 2m shark below her described as grey on top and white underneath,” the spokeswoman said.

“She made her way to shore where she noticed a number of puncture wounds to her right inner thigh.”

“The woman was assisted by a nearby resident who organised her transport to Shoalhaven Hospital.”

She was treated, her wounds cleaned and administered antibiotics before being allowed to leave.

“I was back in the water that same afternoon with my boys admittedly staying a little closer to shore than my morning laps,” she said.

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