Tiger Shark Strikes Surfboard at Rocky Point, O'ahu

On February 16, 2005, at approximately 2:30 p.m., a surfing incident occurred at Rocky Point, a renowned break along the north shore of O'ahu, Hawaii. The surfer, an experienced big-wave charger from California, was paddling during a lull in the swell while preparing for a professional competition scheduled for the following day. Water conditions were favorable, with clear visibility and a temperature of approximately 77°F. The surfer was positioned roughly 40 yards from shore in water depths ranging from 6 to 14 feet, near a coral and lava rock seafloor approximately 25 yards from a deep-water channel. Without warning, a tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) measuring approximately 2.4 meters (8 feet) struck the bottom of the surfboard with considerable force. The impact launched the surfer several feet into the air, displacing him from his board. Upon entering the water, the surfer quickly assessed the situation, spotted the shark's fin, and initiated a rapid return to shore using a frog-kick swimming motion. During this retreat, the surfer made brief contact with the shark's body. Fortunately, no lacerations or injuries resulted from the encounter. The surfer successfully reached shore despite being struck by a breaking wave near the beach. The surfboard sustained visible damage, including tooth marks along the bottom and rails, along with pressure-related dings. The surfer's wetsuitremained intact with no tears. In response to the incident, local authorities closed beaches from Sunset to Pipeline—approximately one mile of coastline—for 24 hours as a precautionary measure. The following day, the surfer competed in his scheduled event using a backup board.