Shocking Shark Attack Leaves Surfer Stuned: ‘Like Being Hit by a Car’

A quiet morning surf session off Northern California turned terrifying when a shark barreled into a young surfer, leaving him with puncture wounds and a surfboard snapped clean in two.

The attack happened Tuesday, Jan. 13, off the coast of Mendocino County, near the area north of the Gualala River, according to local officials. Emergency crews were called around 8:45 a.m. after reports that a surfer had been bitten while in the water.

South Coast Fire Chief Jason Warner told the San Francisco Chronicle the man suffered “puncture wounds,” but was able to make it to safety on his own — despite losing half of his board in the encounter.

The injured surfer was later identified as 26-year-old Tommy Civik of Point Arena, according to SFGATE. Civik had been in the water for less than 10 minutes and was surfing roughly 150 feet from shore when the shark struck.

“It was like being hit by a car,” Civik said. “All of a sudden, I was shot out of the water.”

A friend who witnessed the attack told authorities the shark slammed into Civik, throwing him into the air, then bit down on the surfboard before disappearing beneath the waves. Civik was left holding only half his board as he made his way back to shore.

He later discovered three clear teeth marks on his upper left thigh. The bite caused puncture wounds and shredded his wetsuit, though his injuries were considered minor. Civik drove himself to a nearby hospital, where he received stitches.

Wildlife officials are now working to determine exactly what species was involved. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is testing Civik’s torn wetsuit, the broken surfboard, and medical dressings from his wounds, according to SFGATE. While the shark has not been officially identified, great white sharks are known to frequent Northern California waters.

Authorities have not said whether additional safety measures will be taken in the area, but the dramatic encounter serves as a chilling reminder of just how quickly a calm surf session can turn dangerous along the Pacific coast.