Weeks After Surviving Shark Attack, 62-Year-Old Surfing Star Back on His Board as He Took On Hurricane Milton Challenge

On September 23, an eighteen-time East Coast National Champion shared shocking news with the surfing community. Charley Hajek aka Gnarly Charley, shared a Channel 9 clip where the reporter said that the surfer “felt his feet inside the shark’s mouth.” However, despite the harrowing experience and then Hurricane Milton, the South Florida resident didn’t slow down.

Yesterday, the 62-year-old surfing veteran posted a clip of himself carving up the waves just weeks after his shark encounter. “Stoked on this short CLIP from my STRIKE MISSION down south for HURRICANE MILTON,” the surfer wrote in the caption of his Instagram post. The footage showcased the veteran athlete effortlessly hitting pop on the stormy waters.

Despite the risks, the adventure seeker couldn’t help himself from surfing on the turbulent waters while battling strong winds. Thankfully, the surfer came out unscathed on the other side of his challenge. However, things didn’t look exciting at all leading up to Hurricane Milton. The surfer posted images of tornadoes and the destruction they caused.

The surfer was also among the first people to visit the ravaged sites. “First on the scene on the Hutchinson island bridge,” the surfing icon posted on October 11, as posed in front of a nearly capsized boat. It’s important to note that Hajek did all of this while recovering from the shark attack. It seemed the 62-year-old had simply brushed off the shark attack.

In fact, Gnarly Charley’s biggest complaint after the attack was that his streak ended. “Today he feels good, but mostly down that he cannot get back to surfing for a few days,” revealed the Channel 9 reporter. The incident was the first time since April 27, that the 62-year-old didn’t take to the waves, making it a 148-day streak. 

“Now I’ve got to start over.” Charley Hajek told Outside Magazine just days after the horrific encounter. So, it’s no surprise that the champion surfer was eager to get back to surfing the waves during his ‘Strike Mission’ in the wake of Hurricane Milton. Surprisingly, the surfer didn’t even express any ill will toward the shark that ended his surf-streak.

The surfing icon did not blame the shark

It’s not uncommon to hear of surfers falling victim to shark attacks. After all, sharks are among the apex predators of our salty oceans. In fact, several incidents in the past have taught the community to not take the possibility of a shark attack lightly. There are inspiring stories of surfers like Bethany Hamilton returning to the sport despite losing an arm in an attack.

Meanwhile, there are those horrors like surfer Aaron Armstrong, who lost his life in a 2021 shark attack. However, the former surfing champion didn’t blame the shark that attacked him on September 22. “Sharks are harmless. Well, until you step on one. Then you’re going to get lit up.” Charley Hajek confessed to Outside Magazine days after his run-in.

The surfer recounted that he ventured into the waters off of New Smyrna Beach and had a great time surfing the turquoise waters. After deciding to wrap up for the day, Hajek was nearly out of the ocean when he felt a sting. Initially, Gnarly Charley thought it was a jellyfish, only to be horrified to discover that a shark bit him.

“It felt like my foot was in a light socket, and it was this big shock,” Hajek added. However, he is well aware that even in the safest waters things may go wrong and hence doesn’t blame the creature. In light of his latest challenge, it’s safe to say the 62-year-old is on the way to rebuilding that streak.