A shark took one clean bite out of a young surfer’s board at Dee Why this morning, 19 January 2026.
Several smaller bites are also visible on the board.
While unharmed, the local boy is understandably rattled by the experience, which occurred mid-morning at Dee Why Point.
Witnesses say they saw what looked like a bull shark possibly 4 or 5 foot long.
The 11-year-old Dee Why local says he was kicked off his board when the shark lunged up then a few bites were taken out of the board – one removing a section of the board entirely. The boy was unharmed.
The boy’s father was paddling back out at the time and was able to meet him in the water, where he had been aided by an older grom nearby after he screamed for help.
The surfer’s parents gave permission for us to quote the boy, but has asked we keep his identity undisclosed while he processes the incident:
“I was surfing at Dee Why point mid morning with my dad. I often surf there and there were lots of other locals who I often surf with,” he said.
“I was on the board when the shark came up and bit it. I got knocked off the board. One of the guys out there went over to me and helped me get back in to shore quickly.
“I’m physically fine but I’m obviously rattled and the board has a chunk taken out of it and a couple of bite marks in it.”
“I’m physically fine but I’m obviously rattled and the board has a chunk taken out of it and a couple of bite marks in it.”
“I feel very lucky I got out of this situation unharmed, and also want to thank all the people who helped me as I exited the water and have sent messages of support. I’m just going to chill at home the rest of the day.”
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) confirmed it was is assisting Surf Life Saving NSW (SLS) and Northern Beaches Council in responding to “a minor shark bite incide at Dee Why Point.”
“The young male surfer did not suffer any injuries, however his board was found to have a large (approximately 15cm) bite mark.
Preliminary assessment of the photos by DPIRD shark biologists suggest that the damage to the surfboard was most likely from a Bull Shark.
Northern Beaches Council has closed Dee Why Beach and an SLS NSW drone will continue to monitor the area this afternoon and tomorrow.
Advice from experts is to avoid swimming in low visibility, murky water.”
The shark net was set as normal at Dee Why Beach. SLS NSW were flying a drone elsewhere at the northern end of Dee Why beach at the time of incident.
Just yesterday a 13-year-old boy was bitten by what appears to have been a much larger shark in Vaucluse, aptly within Shark Bay. He remains in hospital with injuries to both his legs.
More to come.
