Bite Club’s Kevin Young working on doco, organising record paddle out after 19-year-old son Zac’s shark attack death 10 years ago

Almost a decade since Zac Young was mauled to death by a tiger shark on the Coffs Coast, his dad remains at the centre of an emotional storm. But against the odds, he’s found acceptance and calm in the chaos.

Almost a decade since his son Zac was killed in a shark attack near Coffs Harbour, Kevin Young is still at the centre of the traumatic emotional storm triggered by the savage attack.

But for Bite Club member Mr Young, a committed Christian for two decades, he said it’s a place of acceptance and calm.

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Mr Young said his son Zac Young had a premonition that he would not live to an old age.

“We were living together at the time and it was about eight weeks before the end and he said ‘Dad, I don’t think I am going to be around much longer’,” he said.

Zac’s faith was also very strong – he used his last words at the age of 19 to pray for his friends as they frantically struggled to bring him to shore after the tiger shark attack at a break known as The Well, north of Coffs Harbour.

November 30 marks 10 years since Zac’s tragic death. A documentary is underway and a world record paddle out is being planned.

Kevin Young in a scene from the Forever Young documentary about his son Zac’s life, after the 19-year-old was killed by a shark nearly a decade ago.

Zac Young was just 19 when he died.

At the time of his death, Zac was undertaking an internship with Youth for Christ – an evangelical movement involved with schools and homeless youth.

Zac had embarked on his first road trip north from his hometown of Port Macquarie with friends after getting his driver’s licence.

The shark ripped him from his bodyboard.

“He died doing what he loved to do – he loved God and surfing,” friend Lindsy Isaac-Davies said after a memorial service for Zac at Port Macquarie High School.

Kurt Gillan, Shayden Shrader and Lindsy Isaac-Davies after the attack. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Zac's four brothers carry his casket in 2013.

Hundreds of boardriders paddled out after Zac’s death 10 years ago. This time, boardriders are aiming for a world record.

Zac was mauled on the legs by the eight-foot shark about 200 metres from shore while riding with Mr Isaac-Davies, Shayden Schrader and Kurtis Gillan. He suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after.

Zac’s mates were recognised in the Australian Bravery Awards for dragging him to safety.

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With the ten-year mark fast approaching, Mr Young said he has been throwing himself into a documentary about his son titled Forever Young.

The film explores extraordinary unexplained events that unfolded not just in the last year of Zac’s life, but also in the lives of his friends after his death, according to Mr Young.

A flyer for the November paddle out.

Mr Young opens up about the challenges he has faced in life, including the loss of both his first born son, who died at birth, and Zac, the youngest of nine children.

He is the vice president of Bite Club, formed by Coopernook, Barrington Coast resident Dave Pearson, who was almost killed by a bull shark at a beach near Crowdy Head in 2011.

Kevin Young with fellow Bite Club members Dave Pearson, Ray Short and Bruce Lucas.

Mr Pearson was lucky not to lose his arm and struggles with ongoing physical and mental scars.

He said he formed the group after realising there was “no end date” to the trauma.

Today, the club has about 500 members, including survivors and loved ones – not just of shark attacks, but lion, crocodile and even hippopotamus maulings.

“Apex predators are trying to survive and we are on the menu, and that can be very confronting,” Mr Pearson said.

“We are the only animal attack support group in the world that I know of.”

As part of the Forever Young documentary, Mr Young has been planning the record paddle out at Town Beach North, Port Macquarie in honour of his son.

Mr Pearson and fellow Bite Club members will be there. The group says it’s the ultimate show of respect for Zac, who loved the ocean.

Hundreds took to the water in a similar gesture 10 years ago and Mr Young is confident of more than 700 boardriders attending this time.

The paddle out will be held on November 25.

A team of photographers will be on hand to capture moments for closing scenes of the documentary.