The family of Andre de Ruyter, a 27-year-old musician and surfer bitten by a shark at Manly beach, is calling for 'positive energy' as he recovers. His mother, Lisa, described him in a social media post as a 'compassionate talented musician, graphic artist and lover of surfing' and asked for privacy.
De Ruyter was rushed to hospital in critical condition on Monday after being bitten by what is suspected to be a bull shark. He was one of four people attacked along the NSW coast over 48 hours earlier this week, with incidents at Dee Why Beach, Vaucluse in Sydney Harbour, and Point Plomer.
The spate followed fatal attacks at Sydney's Long Reef and Crowdy Head in late 2025. De Ruyter, known for his music with a sound compared to Radiohead and Mac DeMarco, has two tracks on triple j Unearthed and performs at venues across the Illawarra and Sydney's northern beaches.
A fundraiser in Bulli has raised $15,000 to support his recovery, with the community rallying behind the talented artist.
