While the attack here was not a Great White and more likely a Bull Shark as they inhabit this area. It is interesting that while Australia, has had overall fewer attacks, they rank # 1 on fatalaties!

Sydney - An Australian surfer used his board to fight off a shark at a popular Sydney beach on Saturday, then shortly after headed back out to catch another wave, lifesavers said.

Bronte beach lifeguard Chris Chapman said the man was having an early morning surf when the three-metre-long shark attacked.

Chapman said the surfer, in his 30s, told him the shark had latched onto the front of his board, which he then pushed into the predator's mouth.

"He was very calm, surprisingly, he took it quite well," Chapman told ABC radio.

"He just came up and said, 'look at my board'. He said he kind of shoved the board into the shark's mouth just to kind of put himself at a bit of a distance from the shark but he was very calm."
Chapman said the surfer was back in the water a few hours after the attack.

Australia has had nine fatal shark attacks since 2000, the most recent off Western Australia last month. - Sapa-AFP

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 18, 2005 04:52 PM: Message edited by: Great White ]</font>