Simon Nellist shark attack: Little Bay community rocked by tragedy of swimmer travelling ‘advanced route’

The tranquil suburb of Little Bay has been rocked by Sydney’s first fatal shark attack in 60 years as swimmers begin their cautious return to the water.

The tranquil suburb of Little Bay has been rocked by Sydney’s first fatal shark attack in 60 years, which saw an engaged British expat who had fallen in love with Australia mauled to death during a Wednesday afternoon swim.

The shock death of 35-year-old Simon Nellist – a former air force member who was planning to marry the “girl of his dreams” – was a “wake up call” in terms of the pristine bay’s water safety, with the tight-knit community determined to return to the water and overcome the devastation.

Simon Nellist (left) was tragically killed in a shark attack at Little Bay, pictured with fiance Jessie Ho.

Simon Nellist was set to marry his partner.

Eastern suburb locals who visited the bay in the days following the tragic death expressed shock and sadness, with swimmers choosing to follow a path closer to shore as they went about their daily routines.

Joe Azzopardi was due to take part in the Malabar Magic Ocean Swim this weekend – as he does each year – but it was cancelled just days out from the event in the wake of the death.

The Chifley resident said, while he was disappointed, felt the decision to abandon the event “absolutely the right decision” out of respect for Mr Nellist’s loved ones.

Locals returned to Little Bay on Friday following the fatal shark attack.

Joe Azzopardi was due to take part in the Malabar Magic Ocean Swim

However, he was straight back to his near-daily ritual of swimming laps in gorgeous Little Bay on Friday.

“I felt it was a bit eerie when I got in the water, but I stayed close to the shore where as I usually swim my laps a bit further out,” he said.

“But even normally I stay within the bay, which is really safe. Where that [the death] happened was way out there on those rocks, [north of the bay]. I don’t ever go that far out.”

Mr Azzopardi said while shark attacks were incredibly rare, he avoided the route many other swimmers take, which traverses the coastline from Maroubra to Bondi and includes Buchan Point, because he thought the risk of bumping into a shark was more likely.

It is understood Mr Nellist was swimming from Malabar, around the headland that took in Buchan Point and down to Little Bay.

Little Bay nearly returned to normal after Wednesday’s tragedy

Flowers were placed near Little Bay beach

A number of regular swimmers in the area described that route as extremely advanced.

Despite reports avid scuba diver Mr Nellist was planning to take part in the Malabar Magic Ocean Swim, organiser Rob Lloyd said he hadn’t registered and was not officially involved with the event’s managing club, Rainbow Club Australia.

However, he said swimmers could register up until the day of the swim, so Mr Nellist may have planned to take part. Mr Nellist was known to frequent the area and was an extremely strong swimmer.

Police and fisheries were still patrolling the area on Friday

Mr Lloyd said the Malabar Ocean Magic swim community was “absolutely saddened” by Mr Nellist’s death and holding the event would be insensitive.

But he said stressed it would be back next year and that it is extremely safe, equipped with patrolling jet skis, boats and other measures provided by Randwick City Council.

“Our tight-knit community delivers a lot of joy for many people,” he said.

“It’s a community event with great heart and passion, with fundraising money going towards one-on-one swimming lessons to kids with a disability.”

Yukthi Kane, pictured with her husband Michael and their son Archer, sad she’s not worried about another attack

Little Bay mother Yukthi Kane said she was saddened by what had happened and hoped never to see a similar tragedy in her backyard.

But she did not hesitate to swim on Friday with her husband Michael and two-year-old son, Archer, who were splashing near the shore along with a handful of other swimmers.

“I’m not really worried about sharks coming into the bay,” she said.

“I don’t want this to deter people from enjoying this beautiful spot. I think Australians understand that sharks are part of the ocean environment and attacks are so rare and we wouldn’t want any sort of repercussion that could harm them in any way.”

David Verplak returned to his regular swimming spot on Friday morning

For David Verplak, the water ironically felt safer than usual on Friday.

“I feel okay because I saw all of the patrols all over the news and I can see the boats out on the water,” he said.

“And to be honest, I think I’ve got more of a chance of dying from Covid on a normal day, let alone when all these people are surrounding the spot searching for the shark.”

Maroubra resident Grant Manning said he wouldn’t feel comfortable swimming towards the rocks

Those thoughts were echoed by lifelong Maroubra resident Grant Manning, who said the helicopters, boats and smart drum lines made him feel somewhat protected.

“Of course they won’t be here forever, but this bay is safe. I’ve been swimming here nearly every day my whole life,” he said.

Pointing to the rocks beside the bay, he said: “But they’re dangerous. Often you see fisherman go out there near where that scuba diver [Mr Nellist] was swimming and they don’t realise how easy they can be swept off.”

“I also feel like there would be more sharks out there.”

Swimmers stayed close to the shore after Little Bay reopened

Randwick City mayor Dylan Parker said the whole community was shaken by the “shocking tragedy” and while some people were already comfortable returning to the water, it would understandably take time for others to follow suit.

“There is always a risk when entering the ocean, but it is important also to remember that shark attacks are exceptionally rare,” he said.

“I think this is a wake-up call in terms of water safety and swimming in patrolled locations. It’s the best way anyone can reduce the risk.”

Mayor Parker said he would be returning to the water in “the coming days and weeks”.

UNSW Marine biologist Ian Suthers earlier told NewsLocal there was currently a particularly warm East Australian Current which could attract sharks to cooler water along the coast.

But he stressed the message that a fatal shark attack is far rarer than a car accident or bush fire death and this was a “freak” incident.

Buchan Point is one of the most popular rock-fishing spots in Sydney and known to be flooded with fish – increasing the risk of shark presence.