There’s a reason sharks, and shark attacks, are a common fear among beachgoers. The massive ocean creature is capable of inflicting great harm to a person, and can easily take one’s life. Surviving a shark attack is not only rare, but shocking when someone is able to fight off the beast. That’s exactly what Nick Wapner; a California surfer was able to do on Tuesday.
California surfer survives shark attack on Central Coast, gets 50 stitches."I'm happy to be alive," said 19-year-old Nick Wapner. "I'm still in shock. I got off really lucky." #Surfing https://t.co/Kcpg13OuyT
— Ian Cull (@NBCian)
January 9, 2019 Nick Wapner was surfing with friends Tuesday morning off Montana de Oro State Park. The area, which is 200 miles north of Los Angeles, is a popular surf spot for those in the area. According to Nick, the shark came up from beneath him, while he paddled out for an upcoming wave. This is when he was attacked by the shark, and bitten on both legs.
According to the Park Ranger Supervisor, Robert Colligan, the shark was a 15-foot great white shark. The shark was able to clamp down on Wapner’s right ankle, and made its way up to his left thigh. Speaking on the incident, Wapner said, “it all happened so quickly, but I turned and saw that it had one of my legs in its mouth. The thing was huge!”
