Surfer Evades Harm in Shark Encounter as Predator Bites His Board: "Lucky Day" for Californian Surfer.
Revised Article:
Jens Heller, a Cali surf bro, got an action-packed weekend out in San Mateo County when he faced off against a jawsome predator. The sharky encounter took place at Montara State Beach, where Heller and his family settled after failing to catch some wicked waves elsewhere.
His badass apex predator moment began when Heller, perched on his board, felt something underfoot that yanked him right off.
"I was chillin' on the board, and then I felt this thing kick me off," Heller shared with Powerlines Productions. "Looked back and then saw this big maw snarling and showing some gnarly choppers, taking a chomp outta' my board."
Heller swam like a boss back to the shore, feeling like he was moving in slow motion as adrenaline coursed through him.
"I'm thinking, 'Score! I've been blessed with a taste of the wild out here.' Couldn't believe that cub didn't go for the kill," Heller said.
Once he hit the sand, adrenaline-fueled panic set in. He started to second-guess if he'd been nibbled by the Not-So-Lovely Lunch.
Beach lifeguards swarmed, took one look at the gator-mangled board, and called a cease-fire on the swimming festivities for the next two days.
State park and wildlife officials swooped in, taking samples of the sharky saliva left on Heller's board and asking for the bitten board itself to further analyze the chomp.
Authorities remain tight-lipped about which shark species gave the sharky smackdown, but Heller and fellow surfers suspect it was a great white (Carcharodon carcharias). Scientists believe most shark incidents involve exploratory bites from curious sharks checking out strangers, or mistaking humans for tasty seals or sea lions.
As for future runs with the sharks, Heller's not quitting the lineup. He's pumped about the close encounter and is ready to catch more epic waves.
This sharky showdown marks only the second recorded encounter of 2022 in California according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The first incident took place at Torrey Pines State Beach in San Diego, where a shark gave a swimmer a solid bumper car challenge, causing no injuries.
Sources:
- https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/San-Mateo- County-shark-bites-surfer-Montara-State-Beach-17186444.php
- https://www.kron4.com/news/shark-bites-surfer-off-san-francisco-beach/
- https://www.powerlinesproductions.com/blog/shark-attacks-Jens-Heller-Montara-State-Beach/
- https://www.californiadfw.org/hunting/sharks/
- https://www.campaigntoprotectsharks.org/great-white-shark/
- https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2021-09-13-california-sharks-attacks-rising-20210913-yxmjpxxxjvcj65g7xdj5qto3q4-story.html
- Despite the terrifying encounter with a shark at Montara State Beach, Jens Heller, a Cali surf bro, is eager to return to the water and catch more epic waves, similar to the goals of sports athletes who continue playing despite risks.
- Scientists investigating the shark attack on Jens Heller at Montara State Beach in California believe most shark incidents involve exploratory bites from curious sharks checking out strangers, much like how scientific research requires exploration and learning in the field of science.
