Surfer Survives Shark Attack in Hawaii

A surfer experienced a terrifying encounter when an eight-foot shark bit into his leg, inflicting serious injuries. Remarkably, he made it back to the shores of Hawaii.

Koa Smith, a 38-year-old father of two, was surfing at Kaikoos on Oahu’s South Shore when he suddenly felt a pull on his ankle. “It was like someone grabbed me from behind,” he recalled. “I was really confused, so I turned around, and, well, it was a shark.”

Smith suspects the attacker was a Galapagos shark, which left him with a 10-inch gash on his left leg and a 5-inch wound on his right. “Both my calves are pretty open. I’ve got a significant wound on my right leg, too,” he explained.

Despite the shocking bite, he managed to fend off the shark and crawl back to the sand, yelling for help until three bystanders came to his aid and called 911.

After the incident on May 30, Smith underwent several surgeries at Queen’s Medical Center and is on the path to recovery.

A native of Oahu, he’s been a surfer for over 30 years and even served as a Coast Guard lifeguard for four years. “I’ve spent nearly my whole life in the water—surfing, diving, bodysurfing, bodyboarding,” he said.

Doctors anticipate he will fully recover in about six weeks. Smith, now self-employed as a carpenter, confessed he misses being in the ocean. “It’s a bit disheartening to see the waves on Instagram that I can’t ride right now. But if my doctor gives the go-ahead, I’ll be back out there,” he remarked.

The shark attack took place near Cromwell’s Beach, as reported by the Honolulu Ocean Safety Department (HOSD). Following the incident, a survey confirmed that an aggressive shark was present in the swimming area. HOSD urged marine users to avoid those waters until further notice.

On that day, there were reports of two sharks, estimated to be around eight feet long, in the vicinity.