Two shark attacks in two days: South Africa

Photos: NSRI

South Africa: A surfer and a bodyboarder were victims of two shark attacks in two days.

The first attack happened at Plettenberg Bay on Friday at roughly 5pm, at Lookout Beach. Witnesses dialled NSRI Plettenberg station to report that 23-year-old Dylan Reddering had been bitten on the right side of his body. There were lacerations on his ribs, buttocks and leg. Dylan, who’s currently a student at the University of Cape Town (UCT), was pulled from the water by fellow surfers Lloyd Chapman, Adriaan Augustyn, Wotjeck Orzechowski and his son Tadj. His injuries were serious, but he was in good spirits while being treated by medics – even throwing up a peace sign in true South-African grit. Dylan was taken to Plettenberg Bay Medi-Clinic where he was sewn up. Luckily, no major organs or arteries were damaged in the attack. While the shark species hasn’t been confirmed, great whites are common in the area and bite marks in Dylan’s board suggest an animal in the two-to-three metre range.

The following day, roughly 30km along the coast, a second attacked occurred at Buffels Bay. At around 2:30pm, 19-year-old bodyboarder Caleb Swanepoel had his right leg severed above the knee by what’s thought to have been a great white shark. Caleb was rescued by fellow surfers and fortunately, local doctor Dee Richmond was on the beach with her husband at the time – she initiated emergency treatment on the scene, keeping Caleb conscious and stable until emergency services arrived. He was carried on a surfboard to an ER24 ambulance before being taken to George Medi-Clinic.

With two shark attacks in two days along the Southern Cape Coast, NSRI are obviously urging ocean-goers to be cautious and “make an informed decision on wether or not to enter the water although it is advised not to enter the water in the area until Municipal Authorities advise further.”

No shit.

A thousand clicks away, pro surfers flood into Ballito for the QS10000 event. Won last year by Filipe Toledo, The Ballito Pro is always one of the year’s best Q events given the punchy beachbreak it’s held on and the quality of surfer it attracts (10K is the highest Q event rating). It’ll go live, surf pending, within hours right here.