‘Hell of a week’: Surfer speaks out after close call with shark
A surfer has broken his silence, revealing new details of his harrowing close call with a huge shark at a NSW beach.
A surfer who had a very close call with a shark in northern NSW on Monday has broken his silence about the harrowing ordeal.
Brad Ross took to Instagram to share his gratitude at still being alive after his board was chomped in half by the animal at Cabarita Beach south of Tweed Heads, around 8am.
“It’s been one hell of a week,” Mr Ross wrote.
“I just wanted to thank all my friends and family and our amazing community for all the love and support.
“I feel so grateful to be here and so lucky the universe had different plans for me.
“It’s a good reminder of how delicate and precious life is. Hug your family and tell them you love them.”
Footage taken by a local showed Mr Ross suddenly thrashing in the water close to the shore, before he appeared to go. Seconds later, the surfer emerged and showed other beachgoers the board’s huge bite mark – appearing to be at least 50cm wide.
Witness Kane Douglas told 9News he saw an “explosion of water and foam” when the shark circled in on Mr Ross.
“One part of the board went that way, his board was still attached to him,” Mr Douglas said.
People at the beach have reported seeing a 4m great white.
American surfing champion Kelly Slater commented on the incident, saying it is “incredible he’s OK”.
The narrow escape came barely a month after a teenager was bitten by a shark at the same beach.
Surf lifesavers closed the beach after the incident and used a drone to search for the shark.
Shortly after, a shark that looked similar was caught at a nearby drum line, but it broke free before being tagged.
“We’ve been advised by NSW Surf Life Saving that Cabarita Beach at Norries Headland is currently closed due to a shark bite incident earlier this morning,” the Tweed Shire Council posted on Monday.
“No one was injured during the incident. We will provide more information as it comes to hand.
“Please share with your family and friends who may not see this and could be headed to the beach.”
In June, a teenager was pulled underwater and severely injured by a shark at the same beach. Footage captured the shark swimming near a group of surfers before dragging the male teenager underwater.
One person who helped the swimmer from the water said the teenager’s arm had been severely bitten. Hospital staff reported the teenager was in a stable condition in the following days.
Originally published as ‘Hell of a week’: Surfer speaks out after close call with shark
