A dramatic incident unfolded at Prevelly Beach in Western Australia as a foilboarder was unexpectedly launched into the air by a large shark, with the terrifying encounter caught on camera. Andy McDonald, equipped with a foilboard featuring a hydrofoil and wingfoil sail, was surfing when the predator approached him around 5.45 pm on November 10.
Security footage recorded the moment the foilboard and Mr. McDonald were submerged in the water, with his wrist leash becoming entangled with the shark. Surf cameras captured the foilboarder struggling in the water next to the massive shark after being struck by the creature, describing the impact as being hit “like a freight train” and feeling as though he was “on top” of the shark.
Despite the intense struggle, the 61-year-old Mr. McDonald managed to fend off the shark and emerged from the incident unharmed. However, his beloved foilboard sustained damage, showing a significant portion bitten off. Concern grew among Mr. McDonald’s friends, with Neil Mattinson mentioning that the severity of the situation dawned on the foilboarder once they reached shore.
The type of shark involved in the attack remains unidentified, but experts are working to determine its species by extracting DNA from the damaged board. A shark warning was issued for the beach following the incident, although it remained open. Despite the scare, the resilient foilboarder returned to the waves the day after the encounter.
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