While I love the ocean, I don't think I will ever take up surfing of any kind, and this is yet another example of why. Too often, I hear stories of sharks mistaking surfers for seals and attacking them. While I am not sure what provoked this attack, I do know that a great white shark nearly ate this windsurfer after knocking him off his board.
Windsurfer Nearly Eaten By Great White Shark
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Australian windsurfer Andy McDonald was just enjoying the Margaret River in Western Australia when things suddenly went south. Out of nowhere, he felt a bump and was then pulled underwater. Footage shows how quickly he and his sail were dragged beneath the water's surface. When speaking with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the windsurfer shared, "Everything was really nice and then just out of the blue - bang."
As he and all of his gear went underwater, the windsurfer admitted that he knew it was a shark that took him down. Although at the time, he was unaware that it was a juvenile great white shark. Despite thinking that there was no hope for survival, McDonald fought with everything he had. He continued to punch and kick the shark in a desperate attempt to save himself.
Nearby surfers heard his screams and rushed over to help. Luckily, the surfers did not see the water turning red with McDonald's blood. However, they did see large chunks of foam floating up from the depths; the pieces of his board that the shark had taken a bite out of. Although he is uncertain of why the shark gave up its pursuit, the great white shark did eventually release the windsurfer's gear, leaving him unharmed.
Like many brave shark attack survivors before him, McDonald is not letting this unfortunate circumstance taint his love of the water. "I'll get back in the water. I'll go back out tomorrow," he shared.
