No, not in Australia or South Africa – this incident occurred off the coast of the Canary Islands, Spain. Yes, that isn’t exactly a known hot spot for shark attacks; however, the ocean certainly doesn’t care about a reputation.
Fuerteventura, a Surfboard, and a Random Bite
It was a calm Sunday, July 20, 2025. So far, everything was going along swimmingly – until it wasn’t.
Suddenly, a shark breached. First, it breached the board, and then the surfer. Chomp. Two deep tooth imprints just above the knee. That was enough to put an end to the session in quick order.
A bit of a shark science
So which type of shark was it? They don’t know for sure, although hammerheads and angel sharks inhabit those waters. The catch is; the two species like to do their own thing.
However, local officials soon advised caution, if you are planning to swim or surf anywhere far from shore. Just because it hasn’t happened before does not mean that it can’t.
“Punch it in the nose?” Kind of true.
The Florida Museum’s International Shark Attack File has some tips for if you find yourself in the situation with a shark that is trying to munch on you.
- Maintain eye contact.
- Back away slowly.
Can’t find them? Go for the nose
Don’t count on your punch to be a knockout—water decreases your speed, paddle, don’t box
He Got Lucky (And You Shouldn’t Count on Getting Lucky, Too)
This surfer was able to paddle back to land and get emergency treatment. He sustained no life-threatening injuries, just some gnarly bite wounds and another scary story to tell for the rest of his life.
This serves as a reminder about how nature can change the story at any moment. You should be vigilant at all times—even when you’re just hanging with the waves.
