Surfing with the sharks just got real! It’s a well-understood notion that the minute you step into the water, shark encounters are a remote possibility. And every surfer knows this important facet listed in the 101 to Surfing. However, this rare moment turned into a 16-year-old’s nightmarish reality recently, for he averted a life-threatening disaster by a close call.

Per Wesh 2, 16-year-old Teddy Wittemann from Brevard County turned to the Florida beach, hoping to ride the waves intensified by the recent string of storms. It was all fun and adventure until he slipped off the surfing board into the water. Next, he felt an intensely pressured grip on his arm and when he looked right next to his body, he said, “I knew exactly what was going on.” 

From a quick glance, what Teddy Wittemann could decipher was a 6-foot-long predator of the ocean, a bull shark. Unable to defeat the ‘jaws of fate’, he said, “Just out of nowhere, it got the inside of my arm and (snaps finger) just like that,” recalling his surfing accident from last week. The next he remembers, he was struggling his way back to shore with a bitten arm. Fortunately, his friends helped and called 911. They tried tying a sheer around his arm and held it up straight in the air until help arrived.

You’d think this might inculcate a lifelong fear of surfing in someone. Well, not Wittemann. Having been an avid surfer all his life, he has pledged to resume surfing according to WESH the minute he gets better. The reason being “Because it is what I love to do. I love surfing. I mean, I do it everyday…” Passionate about becoming a pro surfer, he hardly agrees with this ‘small hiccup’ throwing him off his dream course.

Luckily, Wittemann escaped with no tendon or ligament damage in his arm. However, he hardly is the only one, as another surfing enthusiast remained unfazed by a recent shark attack. But if we speak of just Florida in particular, one can spot a rise in the number of shark attack cases. The state has an average of around 19 bites a year. Now why is that? Here are a number of potential causes along with the brave story of yet another attack survivor.

Surfing in Florida is turning into a threat?

Another Florida man, Charley Hajek, also called ‘Gnarly Charley,’ entered the Florida waters right after Hurricane Helene to catch the massive waves and enhance his surfing experience. But minutes into the activity, he alighted off his board when his misstep placed him right onto a shark, creating a moment that shocked both the creature and him.

The reaction? Well, the giant apex predator clutched the surfer’s foot in its mouth. “My whole foot was in its mouth for maybe a second, and then it let me go…” Charley confessed. But again, passion seems to transcend all limits. It was surprising to see that just days later, Charley was back in the waters for another challenge amid Hurricane Milton.

When we speak of Florida in particular, local incidents may show a surge in unprovoked shark attacks recently. In just 2023, there were 16 of these just in Florida, which comes up to 23 percent of the global share. And some analyze that over the past few decades, a possible reason is the rise in interaction possibilities with increased activity in the water. Speaking of just Florida, there has been an influx in the local population after the pandemic.

Moreover, climate change may also be a potential cause for sharks to alter their ranges. However, some might still believe that it is not too big of a threat. The attacks have mostly been bite and run and some believe humans are not their primary targets for food. Amid this, the surfers also continue to show great ambition, hoping to return back to the waters. What do you think of this? Let us know below!