Surfer Gets Nipped In Florida, Bodyboarder Gets Catapulted by Great White In Perth

If there were six shark attacks in San Clemente this year people would be freaking the fuck out. They already are and the lineups are merely getting buzzed by the occasional curious baby White – save the one attack at Church. 

Meanwhile, Volusia County, Florida, just logged its sixth attack of the year…but you probably can’t legitimately call it an “attack.”

On Saturday morning, an unidentified 19-year-old surfer was at Ponce Inlet when he stepped off his board into shallow water and apparently pissed off a little shark. Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue Senior Capt. Tamra Marris noted that it appeared the shark had “nipped” him on the left foot.

“He had a laceration. It didn’t appear to be significant,” said Marris. 

This area, which is responsible for spawning the brothers Geiselman, sees a lot of blacktip and spinner sharks. Both species can reach a length of six to eight feet long but feed primarily on baitfish and mullet. Last year there were 32 reported shark bites in Volusia County, earning it the dubious title of “shark bite capital of the world.”

So far in 2017, a surfer has been bitten in the foot at New Smyrna, a couple swimmers have been chomped at Daytona Beach, another swimmer was hit at Ormond Beach, and now this most recent nip at Ponce Inlet.

Meanwhile, surfers in Reunion Island, West Oz, South Africa and Northern California roll their eyes.

Over the weekend a bodyboarder at Bunbury Beach in Perth was rammed by a large shark, projecting him into the air.

“I saw the grey and the white of the gills and at that point, I realised it wasn’t a dolphin,” Paul Goff recalled, who then saw the animal breach between him and his board. “It hit fairly hard but didn’t wind me. Then it went towards the board. I yelled ‘shark, shark’, pulled the leash off my wrist to let go of my bodyboard, turned and started paddling towards the beach.”

Florida surfers may not be getting sent into orbit when they’re mobbed by a shark, but the issue in Volusia County is still serious. Of course, it’s worth noting that in Florida the actions of ignorant humans have had a much more profound effect on the shark population than vice versa. The barbaric practice of shark finning still takes place in area waters. A bill is currently circling the State House that would make the practice illegal. If it passes, first-time violators would be subject to second-degree misdemeanour charges, $4,500 in fines and a six-month suspended license for possessing “separated shark fins.” A similar bill proved unsuccessful in 2014. The current law places a limit of two sharks per boat and requires captured sharks be kept in a “whole” condition while on the water, failure to do so carries a $500 fine.’

But, really, you came for the booger that turned into a projectile.