Nine-Year-Old Surfer Survives Shark Attack at Tathra Beach

By Isla Evans, ABC South East NSW

On a quiet afternoon at Tathra Beach, a nine-year-old surfer named Bowie Daly faced a terrifying encounter with a shark. The incident, which left his surfboard in pieces, has since sparked conversations about safety in the region and the resilience of young athletes.

At approximately 4:30 pm on Thursday, Bowie was riding his board when he felt a sudden tug at the back of his board. “I was holding onto it and I felt a tug,” he recounted. “I suddenly started drowning but I got back up. It only happened for a second.”

When he resurfaced, he saw a large shark’s back and immediately screamed for help. A group of nearby surfers, including his father, quickly rushed to his aid and helped him reach the shore safely.

Bowie emerged from the attack with only a scratch on his arm and a hole in his wetsuit. “I have a hole in my wetsuit… I have a scratch mark,” he said. “My board was fully into pieces… fully wrecked. It was not good.”

The surfboard, which had been a part of Bowie’s life for the past four years, was completely destroyed. A large bite mark was visible, and the board’s fin was entirely removed.

According to the Australian Shark-Incident Database, on average, 20 people are injured by sharks in Australia each year, with approximately 2.8 fatalities annually. However, shark sightings in the Tathra Beach area are relatively rare. Tathra Surf Life Saving Club president Andrew Johnson confirmed that no shark had been reported in the area prior to the attack.

“We’re not renowned for having sharks,” Johnson said. “But obviously, there’s always sharks in the water. All surfers think that there’s sharks out there and they just accept that.”

Despite the incident, the community has continued to enjoy the ocean. Johnson and many others went out surfing the following day. “I’ve had a board broken by a dolphin once… but having some teeth and that come at you, that would be a whole different kettle of fish,” he remarked.

Bowie, however, is determined to return to the water. “I’m going to go sooner,” he said, thanks in part to a generous gesture from former professional surfer Kai Otten, who offered Bowie a new board. “I’m going to be back in the water in a few weeks,” Bowie added.

The incident, while alarming, has also highlighted the courage and resilience of young athletes who continue to pursue their passions despite the risks. As Bowie prepares to return to the waves, his story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sea and the strength of the human spirit.