A veteran surfer who survived a shark attack off the coast of South Australia has changed his account of the incident, now believing a great white shark was responsible for the 27-centimeter bite wound on his thigh.
Lee Berryman was surfing at D'Estrees Bay on Kangaroo Island last month when a shark grabbed him. He initially thought a bronze whaler was the culprit, but after reviewing evidence, he now suspects a white shark attacked him on October 7.
Shark Watch SA reported that tooth marks on Berryman's surfboard were too wide for a bronze whaler and matched those of a white shark. A white shark of similar size, estimated at 3 meters, had been seen in the area days before.
Berryman, a tour guide, said he fought back by punching the shark, which then released him. A fellow surfer helped him get to the hospital. Berryman is recovering well but cannot sit for long periods.
Despite the ordeal, Berryman holds no grudge against sharks. He has surfed D'Estrees Bay for 43 years and plans to share his story on the Shark Cast podcast.
