You can Learn a lot from Surfers...

FIVE SHARK ATTACK SURVIVORS WHO STILL SURF

Would you paddle back out? These surfers did.

The sports world loves a comeback. Muhammad Ali’s redemption win against Joe Frazier; Michael Jordan’s return to basketball, and subsequent three-peat with the Bulls, after a ho-hum stint in baseball; or Andre Agassi’s resurrection after a bout with crystal meth addiction.

Few comebacks, however, can compare to a shark attack, followed by a return to the water. It’s a battle with a wild animal, versus an injury on the field or a devastating defeat. Most people would never dream of paddling back out after such a traumatic experience. But alas, surfers are not like most people.

Below, you’ll find a handful of surfers who not only survived, but thrived after a shark attack. (Note: this list doesn’t include every shark attack survivor who has returned to surfing; it’s just a select few well-known surfers who are back in the water today).

Bethany Hamilton

An up-and-coming talent from Hawaii, Bethany Hamilton was mauled by a tiger shark while surfing her homebreak, Tunnels Beach on Kauai. She was just 13 years old at the time. And although the shark severed her left arm, Hamilton was back surfing a month later – learning how to paddle and pop-up with just one arm. But that’s only scratching the surface; after the attack, she not only returned to surfing, but she went on to give the world’s best women surfers a run for their money at multiple events (most recently a third place finish as a wildcard at the 2016 Fiji Pro), she’s become a mother, and she’s been a pivotal player in the progression of women’s surfing from charging massive Jaws to pulling off innovative maneuvers, all of which will be seen on the big-screen in an upcoming documentary.

Mike Coots

Similar to Hamilton, Mike Coots was surfing in Kauai when he was attacked back in 1997. He punched the tiger shark twice in the nose, and the beast scurried off. But the damage was done; Coots lost his right leg from mid-thigh down. Also similar to Hamilton, Coots didn’t waste any time getting back into the water – he was back surfing within a month. And since the attach, Coots has become an activist for shark conservation and against shark finning. He’s also become widely recognized on social media for his point-of-view images, showing him pig-dogging with his prosthetic leg in the barrel.

Brett Connellan

At 22 years old, Brett Connellan was a promising surfer with big competitive aspirations coming out of New South Wales, Australia. But during a session at Bombo Beach, Connellan was attacked by a shark and lost nearly three-quarters of his left thigh. Thanks to the quick action of Connellan’s friends in the water and on the beach — they got him to shore, tied a makeshift tourniquet from a surfboard leash around his leg, and awaited a helicopter to the hospital — Connellan’s life and leg were saved. And two years after the attack, Connellan’s back in fighting form; by the looks of clips on his Instagram, his surfing appears to be as good as its ever been.

It’s Great White Shark Season in SoCal; Here’s What You Need to Know

Colin Cook

While living on Oahu’s North Shore and apprenticing under legendary shaper, John Carper, Rhode Island-transplant Colin Cook had the course of his life changed during a single surf. It was early morning. Cook was surfing Leftovers near Laniakea. And a tiger shark tore his left leg off his body from the knee down. Following a few months of recovery, and a period of time to get used to using a prosthetic, Cook returned to surfing. “It’s not going to stop me from getting back out there and really giving it my all,” Cook told Surfline. And a few years later, he won the USA Adaptive World Championships.

Ulu Boy

Big Island native Jimmy “Ulu Boy” Napeahi was attacked by an estimated eight-foot tiger shark while he was surfing Shacks, a spot near Pohoiki Boat Ramp, when he was 16 years old. The shark pulled him underwater, thrashed him around, while Ulu Boy punched it in the gills. Ultimately, he was able to escape and paddle to shore, where he waited a grueling 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. Luckily, they came just in time and Ulu Boy was able to walk away from the incident with no severed limbs, but a whole lot of stitches. And today, Ulu Boy is back surfing better than ever, charging waves on his home island of Hawaii and nearby waves on the North Shore of Oahu, like Pipe, Backdoor, and more.