Suspected shark attack snaps board

Prem Puri was hit from behind in a suspected shark attack while surfing in perfect 1.5 metre surf at Tallow Beach.

THIS Byron Bay man got the shock of his life last week when he was hit from behind in a suspected shark attack while surfing in perfect 1.5 metre surf at Tallow Beach.

Local musician and small businessman, Prem Puri, was knocked suddenly from his board while riding a wave in open water about 100 metres south of the iconic lighthouse on the most easterly point of the continent about 1pm last Thursday.

He surfaced soon after with a searing pain in his foot to find a sizable chunk missing from his board.

The suspiciously shark-shaped bite has baffled surfers and board-makers alike who agree a board wouldn’t break like that in normal conditions.

Mr Puri said there was a large pod of dolphins with babies harbouring in a channel close to the shore.

"I was wary because I’ve seen many sharks out at Tallow's and I did see a couple of eerie shadows lurking (unlike dolphins) below," he said.

"It’s my understanding that they stalk the pods hoping to pick up a baby that strays too far."