A young surfer has had a miraculous escape after a shark attacked his surfboard off one of Sydney's most popular northern beaches. The frightening encounter occurred on Monday morning, adding to a spate of recent shark incidents in the area.
Close Encounter at Dee Why Point
The incident took place mid-morning at Dee Why Point, where the 11-year-old local was catching waves. Witnesses reported seeing a shark suddenly lunge from the water and clamp its jaws around the boy's board. The predator took several bites, with one powerful chomp removing a large section of the board entirely. Several smaller bite marks were also left visible on the damaged equipment.
Onlookers described the shark as appearing to be a bull shark measuring roughly four to five feet in length, though authorities have not yet confirmed the species. Hearing the boy's screams for help, a fellow surfer quickly aided the shaken but unharmed youngster back to the safety of the shore, as reported by The Manly Observer.
A Disturbing Pattern of Attacks
This alarming event comes just one day after another serious shark attack in Sydney's waters. On Sunday afternoon at approximately 4.20pm, a 12-year-old boy was critically mauled by a suspected bull shark while swimming in Sydney Harbour.
The victim was with five friends at the western end of Nielsen Park in the city's eastern suburbs. Police believe he was in the water after jumping from a six-metre-high rock ledge known locally as Jump Rock, an area that is not protected by shark nets. The attack resulted in severe injuries to both of the boy's legs, and he remains in a serious condition in intensive care.
Community Alert and Safety Concerns
These back-to-back incidents have sent shockwaves through Sydney's beach-going communities and raised urgent questions about marine safety. The fact that two young boys were targeted in separate locations within 24 hours has heightened public anxiety.
While the surfer at Dee Why Point escaped physically unscathed, the psychological impact of such a close call is significant. The contrasting outcomes of the two attacks—one a narrow escape, the other a life-threatening mauling—underscore the unpredictable and dangerous nature of such encounters. Authorities are likely to review safety protocols and monitoring in the wake of these events.
