"Tales of the Deep – (and sometimes shallow)"
Join us as we venture into the deep, unearthing the hidden stories of survival, bravery, and the unimaginable power of the ocean's apex predators.
Background
I first met Max, earlier this year. He was on his planned trip around Aus with his girlfriend Grace. We hung out at home and hit it off straight away. Surfing our brains out and sharing epic times. Max and I stayed in touch and started to plan some adventures. Not so long after this happened, I’ll let him share his recount of this traumatic event.
Explain the event from the lead up, incident, aftermath, hospital, media, to now and describe the circumstances from your perspective (similar to what you said on the phone to me is perfect).
It was my first morning back in Geraldton after competing in the Margs pro trials down south and I was itching to get a surf at home! Me and my good mate Danny Williams (Buddha his nickname) were in the water by 7am. It was about 4ft and offshore and we started paddling out the back and I was duck diving the last wave to get out back. I put my arm on the board to rest and about 30 seconds later this shark hit me really hard on the right side and latched onto my arm. I then looked over and seen the sharks jaw over the top of my arm and it was squishing my arm against the board like I was pinned down! The amount of pressure I felt was intense and hard to explain. The shark was thrashing around a fair bit and I was punching it to get it off my arm! It lasted for around 10-15 seconds! I yelled at Buddha to paddle in I didn’t realise exactly what had really happened. I also tried to paddle in but because of my injury my right hand had no movement and was just floppy. I couldn’t get myself in, I then was yelling at Buddha to come back out and help me get in as I was stuck in the rip! He swam back out without hesitation and was trying to push me onto waves by this time there was a fair bit of blood in the water and all I could think was that this shark is going to come back for more. Danny pushed me onto the next wave and we both got in. Buddha put a leg rope on my arm as a tourniquet and both started our walk back to the car which was 2km. Half way to the car Buddha realised he left his keys back at the spot so he had to run back and grab them as I continued to walk back to the car. I got to the car and then Buddha arrived. We jumped in and he started reversing and the car got bogged. We just looked at each other and didn’t say word but Buddha jumped out and grabbed his two boards, dug some sand out and chuck them under. Thankfully the boards got us out but they both ended up snapping! I felt so bad and guilty! As we made our way to the ambulance the pain started to kick in, I think it must of been the bumps and shit. We got to the ambulance and I was on the green whistle loving life all the way to Gero! This is when the media started, they were pretty ruthless and didn’t leave us alone!
Did it take long to understand the situation? What were your initial thoughts, emotions when you realised you had a shark on your arm?
As soon as I seen the shark on my arm. I could see the whole jaw over my arm it didn’t take long at all to notice. I had no pain. My initial response was to get it off my arm. I didn’t panic I just knew I had to get the shark off my arm or it could of gone downhill from there.
How close were you to losing your limb?
If the bottom set of teeth hadn’t got the bottom of my board I would of lost my arm.
Which species of shark you were attacked by, did you see it? How important is collecting this scientific forensic information based on your experience?
The image of the shark is still as clear as day in my mind. It had a blue/grey colour and I originally thought it was a bronzy. The fisheries took my board and the wetsuit that was cut off me and sampled it. It came back as black tip hybrid shark from 1.5-2m. I remember it being not too small.
What were the specific actions you took to defend yourself or escape the situation?
As natural instinct I instantly started punching the shark with my left hand and that didn’t end to well. It started thrashing in the air while still attached to my arm which is why I thought it was snapped in half. I yelled at Danny to paddle in but not long after realised I needed him to help me get in.
Were you injured during the encounter? If so, can you describe the extent of your injuries?
Yes. All finger and thumb tendons were completely cut including my arm muscle on the right arm. There was also snapped off teeth fragments near my bone.
How were you rescued or able to get yourself to safety after the attack? Give details about the situation.
Haha I called my girlfriend and she was asleep and didn’t answer so I called my mum and she answered. I told her what had happened and said I’ve called an ambulance. The next part was to get to the ambulance. Where we were surfing was 2km from where the car was parked. We started walking back to the car along the beach and half way back we realised we didn’t have the keys and they were back at the spot. Danny tan back and got the keys while I kept walking to the car. Poor fella was in his steamer sweating so bad! I waited at the car and just kept thinking hurry up because I was making a pool of blood in the sand and was worried I was losing a bit of blood. Still wasn’t feeling any pain must of been all the adrenaline. As soon as Danny arrived to the car we started we jumped in and he chucked it in reverse and the car started bogging down. And then we were bogged FUCK. Haha Budda didn’t say a word just jumped straight out of the car and started to dig it out but that wasn’t working so he grabbed two of his surfboards and stuck one under of the back tyres and straight away were out of there! We now call them the Max Tracks. Thank fuck he did that because the car mat was filling up with blood and I was thinking I was going to have to walk all the way to the road. The pain started kicking in once we were going over the bumps and tracks to get out! We made it to the gravel track and the seen the ambulance. Shot of Morphine in the veins and the green whistle and I was pain free again haha! I felt like was lifted and floating above the bed!
What was it like in the ambulance/hospital?
Ambulance service in my home town Geraldton was really good. I was feeling pretty good with the stuff they gave me and the chicks in there were absolute legends! I felt like a million dollars. The ambulance was very quick my girlfriend and mum heard it fly past the house before they even made it out the door. Pretty lucky I was wearing a full length wetsuit because when they cut it off in emergency blood started squirting out everywhere and being high I couldn’t stop laughing!
What were your immediate thoughts and feelings after surviving the shark encounter?
A pretty numb feeling actually. I couldn’t believe I had been attached by a shark. I was in still shock and it all felt like a blur for 7 days as I was dosed up on meds!
How has this experience affected your relationship with the ocean and water activities?
I definitely feel like I have lost my trust in sharks, I was never really too scared of them when surfing. Only when I was spear fishing. It definitely will be a bit of a mental battle when I start surfing again as the ocean is my happy place and where I like to clear my mind.
What advice would you give to others who may find themselves in a similar situation?
My only advice would be is to stay as calm as you can in that situation and don’t panic. I guess you can think a little clearer when calm and make better actions to get out of the water safe and get from the shark.
How do you feel about the current efforts to protect beachgoers from shark encounters in Western Australia?
I believe they definitely need to start doing more! Whether that’s culling or making people aware of sharks behaviours. They need to start talking to the commercial fisherman instead of listening to the greenies and public people that have no experience or idea about the ocean and animals! These fishermen see them daily and the information they have could be lifesaving.
In what ways has your shark encounter impacted your life, both short-term and long-term?
Still early days but definitely makes me nervous to get back in the water and I know now it’ll be something I’ll be thinking of all the time when in the water. Not that I did it too much, but I won’t be solo surfing anymore.
What do you believe is the most important thing for people to understand about sharks and their behaviours?
Probably that they are very unpredictable and I think if you were to get attacked you wouldn’t know until it’s happened. The shark hit my board so hard that it would of knocked me off if it didn’t clamp my arm to the board.
What do you think the best way forward is based on your background in commercial fishing.
I believe sharks are getting way more aggressive towards humans and are associating us as food. I don’t really have an exact answer but from my experience in cray fishing and seeing sharks every day on the boat there is plenty. For an example when crocodiles get to populated in the north of WA they cull for human safety, so I can’t see the harm in doing that to sharks every now and then.
How has your perspective on shark-related media, such as news reporters, movies and documentaries, changed since your encounter? Haha yes definitely something I would mention is that some are ruthless and others are really nice! Also don’t believe the media as they tend to manipulate the story to what they think would get more attraction! Pretty funny I’m a pro surfer now!
What kind of support did you receive from family, friends, and the community after your experience?
I have no words for support I received after the attack. I couldn’t use my phone for many days after so I was thankful I had my mum and Grace my girlfriend to update my mates and family. Everyone was amazing. Geraldton Board Riders, the community and local surf shop Corner Surf raised money to fund two new surfboards for my mate Buddha that was with me when the attacked happened. Paul Patterson (Ant Man) and Hot Buttered Surf Boards (Boyd Purdy) hooked us up with the boards. Danny was stoked!
Have you had any dreams or flashbacks related to the incident? How have you coped with these experiences?
I haven’t had any flashbacks or dreams regarding the attack which I was surprised with but I am very nervous to get back in the water.
What message would you like to convey to our readers about your experience and your perspective on shark encounters?
Don’t let it scare you and stop you from doing what you love especially if this incident does occur to you!
Conclusion
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your story and encounter Maxo! You’re a super lucky man and we are all grateful you’re recovering well as unfortunately so many before you have not been so lucky.
It’s so good to see you back doing what you love!
With my background in Ocean Safety (www.oceansafety.com.au) and now Mazorca Brand my mission is to foster a sense of curiosity and awe for the ocean and its inhabitants, while promoting awareness and real life recounts from experienced members of our ocean community.
Join us again next time as we continue to delve into the world of shark encounters, uncovering more tales that will undoubtedly capture your imagination and leave you pondering the mysteries of the deep - and shallow..