Pro Surfer Koa Smith Crawled Across the Sand After Shark Bit Both Legs at South Shore Break

Professional surfer Koa Smith demonstrated remarkable composure and survival instincts Tuesday morning when he paddled himself to shore after a shark bit both of his legs at a popular South Shore break, then crawled across the sand to get help from fellow surfers.

Smith, 38, a veteran of Oahu’s surf scene, was surfing alone around 7:30 a.m. when the attack occurred at a reef break near Diamond Head. The experienced waterman managed to stay on his board and paddle approximately 100 yards to shore despite significant bleeding from puncture wounds on both legs.

“When I felt the bite, my first thought was just to get to the beach,” Smith said from his hospital bed at Queen’s Medical Center. “The adrenaline kicked in, and I knew I had to move fast. I wasn’t going to let this thing end me.”

Once Smith reached the shoreline, he crawled across the sand toward other early-morning surfers who were preparing to enter the water. The group immediately called 911 and applied pressure to Smith’s wounds using beach towels and a first aid kit.

Emergency Medical Services arrived within eight minutes and transported Smith to Queen’s, where surgeons cleaned and sutured multiple puncture wounds. Dr. Maria Gonzalez, who treated Smith, said the bites appeared consistent with a tiger shark, based on the spacing and depth of the tooth marks.

“Mr. Smith was incredibly fortunate,” Gonzalez said. “The shark missed major arteries in both legs. His quick thinking to get out of the water and the rapid response from bystanders likely prevented much more serious complications.”

Rare but Notable Incident

Shark attacks remain statistically rare in Hawaiian waters, with the state averaging about three to four incidents per year. However, this marks the second shark encounter reported in South Shore waters this year, following a minor incident near Keehole Point in February.

The attack occurred at a break frequented by both locals and visiting surfers, situated between the Diamond Head Lighthouse and Koko Head. The area is known for its consistent waves and relatively shallow reef, making it popular among intermediate and advanced surfers.

Ocean Safety officials temporarily posted shark warning signs along the affected stretch of coastline and advised swimmers and surfers to avoid the area for at least 24 hours. No additional shark sightings have been reported since Tuesday’s incident.

Smith, who has been surfing Oahu’s breaks for more than two decades, said he plans to return to the water once his injuries heal. The shark left puncture wounds on his right calf and left thigh, but no tendons or bones were damaged.

Summer Safety Reminder

The incident serves as a timely reminder about ocean safety as summer approaches and beach activity increases. Ocean Safety Division Chief John Titchen emphasized the importance of surfing with others and being aware of environmental conditions that might attract sharks.

“Dawn and dusk are when sharks are most active in feeding,” Titchen noted. “Murky water, schools of fish, and areas where fresh water meets the ocean can also increase encounter risks.”

Smith’s survival story has resonated throughout Oahu’s tight-knit surfing community, where his calm response and successful self-rescue are being praised as textbook crisis management. Several local surf shops have already reached out to support his recovery.

The surfer, who operates a small surf instruction business in Waikiki, expects to make a full recovery within six to eight weeks. Physical therapy will focus on regaining full mobility in both legs, though doctors anticipate no long-term complications.

For Honolulu residents and visitors who frequent South Shore breaks, Smith’s experience underscores both the inherent risks and the importance of ocean preparedness. His quick thinking and determination likely turned what could have been a tragedy into a remarkable survival story.

Ocean Safety will continue monitoring the area, and normal beach advisories are expected to resume by Thursday morning, pending no additional shark activity.