Surfer Who Suffered Shark Attack on Face Reveals Wounds, Says it 'Felt Like a Bear Trap' (Watch)
A couple of days ago we reported that a shark attacked a surfer's face right after he kicked out of a wave during a session at Florida's New Smyrna Beach. Now we know that surfer is 38-year-old Mark Sumsersett from South Carolina.
The video below shows Sumsersett's wounds both during surgery and after receiving "almost two-dozen stitches."
Sumsersett says, "It felt like a bear trap closing in on me."
The video above was broadcast by Fox35 Orlando yesterday.
In the clip, reporters speak first-hand with Sumsersett, who recounts the shark attack after being released from the hospital.
Sumsersett says after riding a wave, he was underwater about to get back on his board when the shark—which he never actually saw—attacked his face.
"He got me good, there's gashes. Like streeks of them. It was defintily a fight or flight situation," he recalls.
He added:
"I got gnarly battle wounds. I am so grateful to be here today."
Sumsersett is expected to make a full recovery.
New Smyrna Beach has been a hot spot for shark attacks this summer.
In July, we reported that two surfers endured shark attacks while in the lineup there.
One victim, 21-year-old Chris Pospisil suffered “serious injuries” to his foot and was treated at the local hospital. We recently reported that's recovering and vows to surf again.
The day after Pospisil's attack, another surfer was bitten at the same beach, resulting in "superficial" wounds on his back. The second victim was also treated at a local hospital.
Fox35 reported that New Smyrna Beach, which is in Volusia County, was home to seven shark bites in 2022, and 16 shark attacks the year before.
According to the International Shark Attack File, a comprehensive database of all known shark attacks, Volusia County has had 343 unprovoked shark attacks since 1882, more than double Florida's Brevard County at 156 and Palm Beach at 82.
***
Don't miss another headline from SURFER! Subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Instagram, and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of surfing. We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging surf-related videos to feature on our channels.
Whether you're a professional surfer or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on SURFER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality surf videos.