Surfer Bitten Twice During Morning Session at New Smyrna Beach

On the morning of September 3, 2010, a 24-year-old male surfer was in the Atlantic Ocean near Ponce de Leon Inlet at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, when he encountered a shark in the water. The surfer had just finished riding a wave and was separated from his board when the shark attacked, biting his right hand. After the initial bite, the shark released and attacked again. During the struggle, the surfer attempted to grab his board with his free hand to stay afloat while defending himself. The shark briefly emerged onto the board, allowing the surfer to estimate its size at approximately 4 feet from nose to dorsal fin. The surfer managed to free himself and reach shore. The incident occurred in challenging ocean conditions. Hurricane Earl was generating significant wave activity in the area, and baitfish were abundant in the water—conditions that had attracted multiple sharks to the region. Witnesses reported seeing more sharks than they could count in the vicinity. At the time of the incident, just before noon on Friday, September 3, the water temperature and visibility were typical for the area during hurricane season. The surfer sustained lacerations to his right hand classified as moderate in severity. Initial first aid treatment was provided by the U.S. Coast Guard, who bandaged the wound. The surfer subsequently sought additional medical treatment at a hospital. Notably, on his way to receive further care, he stopped at a local pier to check surf conditions and show the bite wound to fellow surfers. The shark species involved was not identified. This incident occurred during an active period for shark encounters along Florida's coast, with multiple bites reported in the region during early September 2010.