Shannon Ainslie was hitting the waves on Nahoon reef, East London, South Africa July 17, 2009.
The 15-year-old was lying on his board at the top of a cresting wave when the first 13 foot shark hit from underneath.
Ainslie was flipped upside down in the air and plunged into the water.
The shark grabbed Anislie’s right hand and pulled him backwards so that the two were eye to eye.
“I prayed Hey Jesus, please like I need some help here. Please help me out and then all of a sudden this wave came out of no where and all my fear disappeared,” Shannon said.
A second white shark tried to bite the young man’s head, but thankfully ended up colliding with the first shark and hit with such force, it forced the first shark to release it’s grip.
Shannon had several severe lacerations on his hand. His brother and another man came to Ainslie’s aid and were able to help him back to shore.
Doctors were able to reattach Shannon’s nearly severed ring finger.
A Canadian backpacker had asked another man to film him as he hit the waves and the man ended up catching the whole attack on video.
