A Plettenberg Bay paddler had a lucky escape after a shark bit a hole in the hull of his paddle-ski on Sunday.
NSRI Plettenberg Bay deputy station commander, Robbie Gibson, said their duty crew was activated after eye-witness reports of a man being bumped off his paddle ski at Robberg Beach.
"On arrival on the scene we found a 33-year-old local man safe ashore after a shark, reported to be approximately a 2.5 metre White shark, bit a hole underneath the hull of the man's paddle-ski while he was paddling," said Gibson.
He said following the incident the man lost his balance and landed up in the water but was able to swim to shore and climbing onto rocks uninjured.
Gibson said NSRI members recovered the man's paddle-ski from the water and he was transported to Wreck Beach where his car was parked.
"He required no further assistance," Gibson said.
He said Western Cape Government Health EMS and the AMS/EMS Skymed rescue helicopter were stood down prior to arriving on the scene.
Gibson said the NSRI is urging bathers and paddlers to be alert, particularly at this time of the year, where it is known that sharks tend to come closer in-shore to feed as part of their natural feeding habits.
