Kai McKenzie Makes First Public Announcement Since Near-Fatal Shark Attack - Stab Mag

Live Now — New Episode Of How Surfers Get Paid — Agents & Managers

159 Views
"Man ohh fucking man to be here right now just to fucking be able to hold my beautiful Eve and my family is everything to me..." said Kai McKenzie

Kai McKenzie Makes First Public Announcement Since Near-Fatal Shark Attack

“BIG FUCK OFF TO THAT SHARK and BIG THANKS to Steve for saving my life.”

elsewhere // Jul 27, 2024
Words by Christian Bowcutt
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Donate to Kai’s GoFundMe here.

Four days ago, Rage-sponsored freesurfer Kai McKenzie went for a session at his local haunt in Port Macquarie on the Mid-North Coast of New South Wales and was attacked by a 3-meter-long Great White Shark.

After trying to paddle away and even kicking at the shark, Kai was mauled and the lower portion of his right leg was almost totally severed. Kai caught a wave in and was seen by a retired police officer, Steve, who fashioned a tourniquet out of his dog’s leash and called for help.

Kai was then life-flighted away and his leg was packed with ice in the hopes of being able to re-attach it when Kai arrived to the hospital. We don’t yet know if doctors were able to successfully re-attach it.

According to Kai’s Insta cappy, he’s adopting his traction sponsor’s M.O. and raging at the shark, instead of just fearing it. Photo: Kai McKenzie

What we do now know however is that as of today, Kai is in stable condition. He posted the following Instagram caption hours ago:

Man ohh fucking man to be here right now just to fucking be able to hold my beautiful Eve and my family is everything to me, a few days ago I went through a crazy shark attack (biggest shark I’ve ever seen) which was a very crazy scene and scared the living fuck out of me, but to all you fucking kind hearted people, all you legends, to anyone and everyone all your support has meant the absolute world to me. It’s so cool to see so many beautiful people support me. There are so many messages to get back to but I wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone for your generous donations on the Go Fund Me page. We are so very grateful for everything.


I can tell you now if you know my personality this means fuck all. I’ll be back in that water In no time! BIG FUCK OFF TO THAT SHARK and BIG THANKS to Steve for saving my life.

This nightmare is just the latest in an already trying year for Kai, who broke his back several months ago in the middle of filming for an upcoming Rage film directed by Toby Cregan.

In the meantime, read the full report on the incident here and consider donating to Kai’s GoFundMe.

We’re happy to see you safe, Kai!

Further reading: Does Shark Deterrence Technology Work?

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Surfing Won’t Pay the Bills? A Million On Red Might

When surfers don't get paid.

Aug 15, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 6

The first spot in our $100K finale goes to...

Aug 14, 2025

Jack Robinson Needed To Win The Tahiti Pro To Make It To Fiji… And He Did

+ Molly Picklum puts on tube riding clinic, looks the one to beat in Fiji.

Aug 14, 2025

Foiling: The Infinite Wave (+ Money) Glitch

Kai Lenny, Adam Bennetts and Eric Geiselman blow the whistle on pro surfing's dirty secret.

Aug 12, 2025

And Our 2025 E.A.S.T. Surfer Is…

Tall, spontaneous, and remarkably qualified

Aug 11, 2025

Op-Ed: Meet The Parasites Devouring Surfing

Surf cam operators, surf schools, surf industry sell-outs, and Swiss-owned ‘Yoga Surf Retreats.’

Aug 11, 2025

“We’ve Walked About 95km So Far… And I’ve Nearly Surfed Further Than I’ve Walked”

Jacob Willcox’s trek across West Oz: part three.

Aug 11, 2025

SEOTY: Kash Brown Makes Nathan Florence Scream In ‘Young, Younger’

Kash is king.

Aug 11, 2025

The Stab Interview: 2x Emmy Winner, Joe Turpel

Surfing's most recognizable voice on major TV awards, internet trolls, and how he made commentating…

Aug 9, 2025

Molly Picklum And Caity Simmers Will Face Off In The Final Regular-Season Heat Of The Year

The women’s final five is officially sealed.

Aug 9, 2025

How Did Australia’s “Most Visible Wave” Stay Hidden So Long?

Underground charger Tommy Myers has put Queenscliff Bombie back on the map. Twice.

Aug 8, 2025

Teahupo’o Day 1: We Couldn’t Look Away Either

Kauli pulls the leash, Filipe sticks a drop, and Kanoa loses (probably) his worst heat…

Aug 8, 2025

Wanna Get To Fiji? Gotta Survive Teahupo’o First

What to expect from the 2025 Tahiti Pro.

Aug 6, 2025

You’re Invited To Test Dozens Of E.A.S.T. Surfboards With Us

Introducing the 2025 E.A.S.T. Festival at the Palm Springs Surf Club, hosted by Kona Big…

Aug 6, 2025

The Bukit Cooks, Locals Take What’s Theirs At 2025 Rip Curl Cup Padang

Westen Hirst and Jasmine Studer get their flowers.

Aug 6, 2025

Kolby Aipa, Descendant of Shaping Royalty, Passes Away

“This a hard painful lesson to the community of the dangers of electric bikes…" writes…

Aug 6, 2025

Jordy (Finally) Gets His Ghost And Robbo’s Vision Improves

Industry rumblings from Tahiti.

Aug 6, 2025

Joyride: We Recreated Slater’s 1990 Lowers-Winning Merrick

The Channel Islands 2.Pro and Better Everyday get flexed in the Ments.

Aug 4, 2025
Advertisement