Bitten on the lower left leg while surfing

Minor
Date
September 22, 2024
Location
New Smyrna Beach
Activity
surfing
Species
bull shark
Age band
60s

Charley Hajek, 62, was surfing at Ponce Inlet in New Smyrna Beach around 11 a.m. when he stepped off his board in water just above knee-high onto what he identified as a bull shark. The shark bit him and released him. Hajek applied a tourniquet with his leash, drove himself to the hospital, and received eight stitches.

This record is kept by NSB Watch, a watchmaker on this beach. One of its dive watches is named the Shark Bite.