Surfer Bitten by Wobbegong at Red Cliff Beach, NSW

On May 31, 2026, a 20-year-old male surfer was attacked by a shark while surfing at Red Cliff Beach in Yuraygir National Park, New South Wales. The incident occurred at approximately dusk as the surfer sat on his board awaiting waves in the Tasman Sea. The attack was sudden and forceful. The surfer reported feeling a hard impact followed by a strong pulling sensation on his right foot as the shark bit down. In response, he kicked vigorously to break free from the shark's grip. During the struggle, the shark became entangled in the surfer's leg rope, which subsequently snapped under the force. Once released, the surfer swam quickly toward shore, maintaining focus on escape despite concerns about a potential second attack. He retrieved his surfboard during the swim, a process taking several minutes as the swell had diminished. The surfer later noted that adrenaline initially masked the full extent of his injuries. Upon reaching the beach, friends provided immediate assistance, applying a tourniquet to his foot while paramedics were summoned. Medical examination revealed bite wounds that had torn through skin and muscle tissue, ruptured one tendon, and damaged several others. Critically, the bite avoided all major arteries, preventing life-threatening hemorrhage. The incident resulted in severe but non-fatal injuries localized to the right foot. A shark biologist suggested the attack was likely carried out by a spotted wobbegong. The surfer demonstrated remarkable composure throughout the ordeal and has expressed gratitude for his fortunate outcome and the swift response of both friends and emergency personnel.