A British man has recounted a harrowing encounter with a Great White Shark during a night swim in the United States, detailing how he managed to fend off the predator with a swift kick before it circled back for repeated attacks. The incident, which unfolded in the waters off Catalina Island near Los Angeles, highlights both the dangers of ocean swimming and a remarkable tale of survival.
The Night Swim That Turned Into a Shark Attack
Chris, a Londoner, shared his terrifying experience on Jeremy Vine's BBC Radio 2 programme on February 5, after the host inquired if any listeners had faced a shark attack. Chris was attempting one of seven challenging ocean swims at night, a feat he undertook from Catalina Island, located approximately 20 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. About two and a half hours into his swim, roughly five miles from the Catalina coast, he felt an initial bite on his hand.
He described the moment: "I felt a bite to my hand and then I managed to drag my hand out of something sharp. I thought 'Oh this isn't right' and then communicated to my support vessel, and they didn't know what was really going on." The situation escalated quickly when the shark, identified as a Great White, grabbed his leg, applying a sharp tug with its teeth.
Fighting Back Against the Predator
When asked how he escaped the shark's grasp, Chris explained simply: "I kicked it, in simple terms. I gave it a bit of a hoof with my left foot and it then came off my foot." After freeing himself, he swam to the back of his support vessel to alert the crew about the bite. Upon shining a floodlight into the water, the crew spotted the shark returning for what Chris termed "third helpings," prompting an immediate order for him to exit the water.
Reflecting on the attack, Chris noted that the shark was a juvenile, measuring about four and a half feet long, which likely contributed to his survival. He stated, "If it had been an adult Great White Shark, then I probably wouldn't have a foot or a hand, or worse." This acknowledgment underscores the perilous nature of such encounters, even with younger sharks.
Lessons Learned and Future Swims
During the interview, Jeremy Vine pressed Chris on whether he would do anything differently in hindsight. Chris responded that he wouldn't change his actions, attributing his survival to luck due to the shark's size. He emphasized that Great White Sharks in the area are generally not interested in humans as a food source, but confusion can lead to attacks.
Despite the traumatic event, Chris remains undeterred. When asked if he would swim in the sea again, he affirmed, "Yes." His story serves as a testament to human resilience in the face of nature's raw power, while also reminding swimmers of the inherent risks in ocean environments, especially at night.
