By admin He almost had to hang five!
A Florida surfer survived a terrifying shark attack when the massive man-eater bit his foot, only to be back in the water days later chasing the waves of Hurricane Helene.
Charley Hajek, 62 – aptly nicknamed “Gnarly Charley” – was surfing in the frothy waters off New Smyrna Beach on September 22 when he came face to face with a bull shark.
“I came off the board and landed right on top of the shark,” he told SWNS. “As soon as I stepped on it, we both panicked.”
A six-year-old storm hunting felt something “tighten around my ankle and foot” – and immediately knew it was an apex predator.
“My whole foot was in his mouth for maybe a second and then he let me go,” he said.
“He didn’t struggle or squirm, he just bit and let go. It’s a warning: don’t mess with me.
The bull shark clung to Hajek’s foot and ankle. Charley Hajek / SWNS
Excited about life, the aging daredevil quickly returned to shore, where blood began to leak from his leg.
“As soon as I reached the beach and took the first step, blood started gushing out. That’s when I knew it was bad,” he said.
“I wrapped the surfboard leash around my leg like a tourniquet and went to the hospital.”
He received 10 stitches and was returned to the water on Sept. 27 – a day after Hurricane Helene’s winds created huge waves off the coast of the Sunshine State, he said.
“I’ve barely had my stitches out and I’m already chasing a hurricane,” he said. “How crazy is this? It makes for a good story.
Then, from Oct. 11 to 13, Hajek rode the waves after Hurricane Milton hit, he said.
Hajek returned to surfing a few days after the shark attack. Courtesy of Charley Hajek / SWNS
“I saw tornadoes spawn right outside the house where I lived in Jensen Beach and coconuts falling from trees onto the roof,” he said. – That was kind of scary, man.
He said he had seen 11 sharks since then and said surfing on the inside of the pier was the most dangerous.
“Sharks are quite harmless. But I stepped on it again, so I got bit. But when you go into the shark pit, it’s very scary,” he said.
Hajek was chasing waves caused by hurricanes Helene and Milton shortly after being bitten by the shark. Courtesy of Charley Hajek / SWNS
Ultimately, he said his philosophy is to respect the ocean and mother nature.
“Emotionally, I had to forget about the shark attack. I love chasing storms. Wherever the storm comes, I go too,” he said.
“Just respect the ocean, sharks and hurricanes. Be prepared, don’t be afraid.”