Suspected shark attack snaps board
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."
