Surf
An approximately 9-foot Great White Shark attacked a 45-year-old surfer on Sunday morning, October 6th, 2013 near Humboldt Bay in Northern California.
Jay Scrivner had been surfing for over 2 hours when the large shark struck this upper leg and surfboard at Samoa Peninsula near Humboldt Bay in Eureka, CA.
“Sometimes you have a feeling that the water is weird. But everyone was just so happy. I was lying on my board, paddling around just waiting for a wave set.” – Scrivner told The Associated Press in a phone interview from his room at Eureka’s St. Joseph Hospital on Monday afternoon
Jay described seeing the shark pop up “out of nowhere” showing him teeth and nose. The 9-foot shark bit Jay causing Jay to take a big swing at the shark and let out a “primordial yell.”
“I couldn’t believe it happened. When I turned away from the shark, I said, ‘Did I really get bit?’ Your mind doesn’t believe it.” – Jay Scriver told The Associated Press
After receiving the bite and checking that he still had all his limbs Jay paddled to the beach where fellow surfers applied pressure the the wounds on his leg. Jay was taken to the hospital where he received 30-stiches in his thigh.
Jay thinks that his large surfboard may have prevented much more extensive damage to his body. The board apparently took the bulk of the shark’s bite.
“If you’re going to get bitten by a shark, I had the best scenario.” – Jay Scriver told The Associated Press
Jay is an English teacher at the College of the Redwoods in Humboldt County and has a wife and two children. Jay says that he will return to surfing once healed up.
We’re stoked that Jay is gonna be alright.
Another surfer, Scott Stephens, survived a shark attack in almost the exact same location one year ago.
Gonna surf again? I wouldn’t.
It’s hard to figure out what to think. It’s just part of the risk, I suppose. Guys get bit here all the time and people keep surfing here. No big deal until it’s you or someone you care about. I’ll stay behind Santa Cruz’s kelp curtain, thank you.