A New Zealander surfing in California has recounted how his friend was attacked by a juvenile great white shark.
Andrew Walsh told the San Luis Obispo Tribune his friend Kevin Swanson, 50, was attacked by the shark off the coast of Montana de Oro State Park north of Los Angeles on Sunday morning US time.
There was "zero warning" before the attack, which Mr Walsh described as "really radical".
The shark came "straight up out of the depths and got him and took him under the water. That was the amazing part. This big giant side of the shark just curving up out of the water."
The shark pulled Mr Swanson under the water, but let him go and he emerged on his board. The pair paddled back to shore.
Mr Swanson used his board's leash to create a makeshift tourniquet when he reached the shore.
Two doctors at the beach helped treat him before he was taken to hospital with a wound on his hip.
The shark is reported to be about 3m long.
It was "way bigger" than Mr Swanson but not a giant, Mr Walsh says.
He says he will surf again.
"You have to get back out there." (AAP)
Andrew Walsh told the San Luis Obispo Tribune his friend Kevin Swanson, 50, was attacked by the shark off the coast of Montana de Oro State Park north of Los Angeles on Sunday morning US time.
There was "zero warning" before the attack, which Mr Walsh described as "really radical".
The shark came "straight up out of the depths and got him and took him under the water. That was the amazing part. This big giant side of the shark just curving up out of the water."
The shark pulled Mr Swanson under the water, but let him go and he emerged on his board. The pair paddled back to shore.
Mr Swanson used his board's leash to create a makeshift tourniquet when he reached the shore.
Two doctors at the beach helped treat him before he was taken to hospital with a wound on his hip.
The shark is reported to be about 3m long.
It was "way bigger" than Mr Swanson but not a giant, Mr Walsh says.
He says he will surf again.
"You have to get back out there." (AAP)
