| Q |
Where was your attack? |
| A |
New Smyrna Beach, Florida |
| Q |
What were you doing? |
| A: |
Surfing |
| Q |
What happened the day of your attack? |
| A: |
I had just finished riding a wave, and jumped off my board into waist deep water. My body went under water and I felt a sharp pain in my hand. At first, I thought the fin of my board hit my hand, but when I surfaced, I couldn't pull my hand up. I saw a dorsal and tail fin thrashing around. The shark finally let go and I was able to pull my hand out of the water. |
| Q |
What happened next? |
| A: |
The shark swam away and I got out of the water. I ran up to two ladies and asked for a towel to wrap my hand. |
| Q |
What kind of shark was it? |
| A: |
I think a 2 foot blacktip. |
| Q |
Were you surfing alone? |
| A: |
Yes. The closest surfer was about 50-100 yards away. |
| Q |
What were the water conditions? |
| A: |
The waves were chest high (2-3 ft) and glassy. The water was murky and I could only see about 1 foot. |
| Q |
Were there any bait fish? |
| A: |
I didn't see any when I first paddled out, but when the shark grabbed my hand, bait fish scattered everywhere. |
| Q |
What were you wearing? |
| A: |
A black bathing suit. |
| Q |
Do you have any permanent damage to your hand? |
| A: |
I'm under a doctor's care for my injuries, and I'm still recuperating. My tendons on my middle and ring finger were cut, and I can't bend my middle finger all the way forward. |
| Q |
Do you think going back in the water will bother you? |
| A: |
I hope not. As soon as my hand heals, I want to go surfing again. |
| Q |
What did you learn from the experience? |
| A: |
Don't swim with bait fish! |
