Mathieu Dasnois fought off a great white shark attack at Sugarloaf Rock near Port St. Johns, in South Africa.
The 29-year-old was out with a coastal sight-seeing tour when he asked if he could hop in the water to try out his new mask.
He was swimming in the shallows (13ft deep) about 66 feet from the boat when the shark’s dorsal fin was spotted.
He had only been in the water for about two minutes as the 13 foot shark approached him.
He told the Telegraph “It was bloody huge, I didn’t see the first attack, it gripped my leg, took it in its mouth and swam. I poked it in the eye with my left thumb.”
He said “The shark let go and came back again. I’m pretty sure it attacked me three times.”
He said “My leg was badly mangled, that’s where it took me and dragged me along. “I’ve got some injuries on my left arm and deep gashes in both my hands.”
Mr. Dasnois updated his Facebook page saying: “So before rumours start seeping too much: I am a shark attack survivor. I squared up with a 4m great white. Not my most successful fight, but I’m essentially fine. Will regain full use of my entire body. Got lucky and had great help. Except for my fin, the shark took my brand new fin. Grrrr.
“Meh. The sea giveth and the sea taketh away. But that guy really wanted me. Must have been something I ate. I should slow down on the crayfish.”
The attack occurred on Saturday around 13:30.
Read more at the Inquisitor
This is the 21st bite attack of 2015* five of which were fatal.
The location has been marked on the 2015 shark attack bites tracking map.
*includes an incident that occurred the following day in Australia.
