Surfer's Terrifying Hammerhead Shark Attack Caught on Camera in Rare Encounter
A surfer has shared shocking footage of a terrifying hammerhead shark attack that knocked him off his board and into the water, leaving him screaming and convinced he was "done for" in the frightening encounter.
Footage Shows Shark Striking Board in Sudden Attack
Adam Baber was foil surfing, using a board attached to an underwater mast and wings, when he spotted something unexpected breaking the surface. The video captures the moment the hammerhead shark swam directly underneath him and struck his board, causing him to tumble into the water with the creature nearby. Baber posted the alarming footage on Instagram, detailing the harrowing experience.
He wrote: "Today a Hammerhead attacked my foil (previous to video), knocked me off my board and then circled back on me eventually and thankfully changing his mind. Sorry for my screaming I thought I was done for." The exact location and timing of the incident remain unclear, but Baber was thankfully spared by the shark during the attack.
Hammerhead Attacks Are Incredibly Rare
Despite the frightening nature of this encounter, attacks by hammerhead sharks are exceptionally rare. According to data, up until 2022, there were only 18 reported unprovoked attacks by hammerhead sharks worldwide. Notably, this species has not been responsible for any human fatalities, as confirmed by the International Shark Attack Files.
This stands in stark contrast to great white sharks, which have been linked to 292 attacks and 59 deaths. The rarity of hammerhead attacks highlights the unusual and alarming nature of Baber's experience.
Survivor Recounts Brutal Bull Shark Mauling
In a related story, a former Australian Navy diver has revealed how a routine training exercise turned into a life-changing horror when a bull shark attacked him without warning. Paul de Gelder, from Melbourne, lost a hand and a leg in a savage eight-second attack in Sydney in February 2009.
He described the pain as akin to having "two rows of 36 razor blades on each side of his leg and wrist, tearing through his flesh." De Gelder, who had been trained to hit a shark in the eye if attacked, recounted the struggle: "My left hand couldn't reach the shark's eye, and when I tried to punch it in the nose, it started shaking me. The pain was just so all-encompassing that the fight just went out of me."
He added: "I was a rag doll in this monster's mouth while getting thrashed around underwater. I was in total agony and drowning at the same time." This account underscores the severe dangers posed by shark encounters, even among trained professionals.
The surfer's footage serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of marine wildlife, while statistics reassure that such incidents with hammerheads remain rare but no less terrifying for those involved.
