‘Gnarly Charley’ is afraid of nothing. Not even sharks! Just after days of getting bitten by a shark, Florida surfing legend Charley Hajek is once again ready to go. On September 22, Charley Hajek was bitten by a shark on the leg as he mistakenly stepped onto the predator. While any other surfer would have thought twice before attempting a second step into the murky waters, Hajek looks unfazed. As if it were a normal day in business. And despite the stitches remaining a testament to the horror he experienced, the veteran surfer is worried about something else. 

Charley Hajek has been regularly taking his surfboard into the waters since 1982. Finding a way to relax himself, the 62-year-old surf instructor never missed his date. Looking to get back on track, Hajek has shrugged off any impending threats inside the waters. In a bold statement to Outside Magazine, Hajek stated that it was his fault that he stepped onto the shark, making the predator compelled to defend itself. Analyzing the shark’s self-defense mechanism, Hajek stated, “Sharks are harmless. Well, until you step on one. Then you’re going to get lit up.”

However, there’s another major reason for Hajek’s eagerness to get back into the water—reinstating his broken streak. To keep a tab on his outings, Hajek kept a constant track on the days he went to enjoy the serenity of nature, riding the mystifying waves. But the unfortunate shark attack broke his streak. Speaking about his streak, Hajek pointed out that the last time he missed swimming was on April 27, 2024. The injured surfer said, “I save all the calendars to prove it… This was my longest streak ever—148 days. Now I’ve got to start over.” 

Well, coming across sharks is not a new thing for Hajek. The 18x East Coast National Champion has seen a lot of predators in his lifetime. Interestingly, Hajek has taken time out to give names to all of them. In fact, the shark that bit him also had a name—Barney. An interesting fact about the name is that Barney is the name of a cartoon dinosaur. Besides, it also refers to ‘ill-prepared surfers’. But irrespective of Hajek’s shirking away his situation, he almost escaped from the jaws of death. 

Charley Hajek’s horrific surfing experience 

It was a wonderful sunny morning at the New Smyrna Beach on September 22. The organizer of the local youth surf series, Charley Hajek, could not control his urge to step onto the waters after witnessing the pristine beauty of the turquoise waters. Hajek had a fantastic time riding the waves and soaking in the thrills amidst the salty waters. After about two hours, the Florida legend decided to call it a day. According to Hajek’s statement, he boarded his surfboard while the waters were still touching his knees. 

But this was nothing new for the veteran surfer. Having followed the same pattern, he did not have an iota of anticipation about what was to come next. And then it happened. Hajek felt he had stepped onto a fish. Initially, he was concerned about getting a jellyfish sting. But things were about to get worse. Moments later, he felt a shock of electricity run through his body. For the worst nightmare has come true. Known as the shark attack capital, Hajek indeed got bit by a shark! 

Reminiscing the experience, Hajek said, “It was like bam!… I felt it clamp down on me. It felt like my foot was in a light socket and it was this big shock.” Using all his adrenaline to full effect, Hajek leaped back onto his surfboard and stepped onto the beach. With blood gushing out his leg, Hajek immediately went to the hospital to get his wounds treated. Now, after being out of danger, Hajek’s stitches are scheduled to be removed this Tuesday. And with the most upbeat and fearless exuberance, Gnarly Charley is once again ready to conquer the wild waves!