Kauai Shark Attack Gives Surfer Scare
Authorities Close Kalihiwai Bay After Incident
POSTED: 12:00 pm HST March 16, 2004
UPDATED: 9:38 am HST March 17, 2004
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HONOLULU -- A surfer had his board nipped by a shark at a Kauai beach Tuesday morning, according to officials.It happened at about 7:45 a.m. at Kalihiwai Bay.
Bruce Orth, 51, was sitting on his board waiting for waves when he saw the shadow of a shark come up under him and then latch on to the railing of his surfboard."He came straight up and latched onto the side of the board. I'm looking straight down at this thing and I thought the head looked like a foot-and-a-half across. And I thought get this thing off my board. So, I pounded on it and kind of had to push it off," Orth said.Once he pushed the shark off his board it swam away, then Orth swam to shore.
Orth (pictured, left) and two other surfers in the water estimated the shark to be 8 to 10 feet in length, but they didn't know what species it was.Kalihiwai Bay is on the east side of Hanalei. Last year, teenager Bethany Hamilton lost her arm when she was bitten at a surf spot called Tunnels near Haena on the west side of Hanalei. The year before, Hoku Aki had part of his leg taken off by a shark bite off Anini Beach east of Hanalei and right between Kalihiwai and Haena.Orth said he has dusted off his back-up board and if surf conditions are good, he'll be back in the water tomorrow morning.
Ocean Safety personnel posted shark sighting signs after the incident.Authorities closed nearby beaches and warned residents and visitors to stay out of the water.No one was injured in the incident, according to authorities.
Bruce Orth, 51, was sitting on his board waiting for waves when he saw the shadow of a shark come up under him and then latch on to the railing of his surfboard."He came straight up and latched onto the side of the board. I'm looking straight down at this thing and I thought the head looked like a foot-and-a-half across. And I thought get this thing off my board. So, I pounded on it and kind of had to push it off," Orth said.Once he pushed the shark off his board it swam away, then Orth swam to shore.Orth (pictured, left) and two other surfers in the water estimated the shark to be 8 to 10 feet in length, but they didn't know what species it was.Kalihiwai Bay is on the east side of Hanalei. Last year, teenager Bethany Hamilton lost her arm when she was bitten at a surf spot called Tunnels near Haena on the west side of Hanalei. The year before, Hoku Aki had part of his leg taken off by a shark bite off Anini Beach east of Hanalei and right between Kalihiwai and Haena.Orth said he has dusted off his back-up board and if surf conditions are good, he'll be back in the water tomorrow morning. | Video |
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