PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A Plettenberg Bay man is lucky to have escaped unscathed after, what is believed to be, a 2.5m great white shark breached beneath his paddle-ski and knocked him into the water.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Plettenberg Bay deputy station commander Robbie Gibson said at about 09:40 today, Sunday April 22, they received reports that a man had been knocked off his paddle-ski at Robberg Beach.
He added it is believed that the shark had breached under the paddle-ski and bit a hole in the craft.
“The sea rescue craft Ray Farnham and Airlink Rescuer were launched, our NSRI rescue vehicle, ER24 ambulance services, Western Cape Government Health EMS and the AMS/EMS Skymed rescue helicopter responded,” Gibson said.
He added that, on arrival, rescuers found the 33-year-old man safely ashore.
“Following the incident, the man lost his balance and landed up in the water. He swam to shore and climbed onto rocks. He was not injured.”
NSRI crew recovered his paddle-ski from the water and the man was transported to Wreck Beach, where his car was parked. He required no medical attention and no further assistance was required.
“The NSRI urge bathers and paddlers to be alert, particularly at this time of the year, where it is known that sharks tend to come closer in-shore to feed as part of their natural feeding habits.”
The only beach in Plettenberg where swimming is currently permitted, is Central Beach.
Read a related article: Shark activity: Robberg beaches closed
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