Surfer escapes shark attack unharmed, board doesn't
A woman not only survived a shark attack on Saturday - but escaped without any injuries.
Elinor Dempsey, 54, was surfing at Morro Strand State Beach in California at 10am when the attack took place.
See also: 10 easiest places to get eaten by a shark
She said the shark swam underneath her board before taking a 14-inch-wide bite out of it.
Ms Dempsey said that initially she "wasn't that scared" because she thought it was a "really big dolphin".
But, she added, she "went into shock the moment it bit the board", and realised it was an attack, and certainly not by a dolphin.
Speaking to the San Luis Obispo Tribune, she said: "I just immediately went into shock and survival mode, I wasn't even sure if I was thinking anything other than, 'oh my God, swim'".
Elinor managed to get back on the board and swam for dear life back to shore.
The beach was closed for 72 hours following the incident, and a US Fish and Wildlife biologist who happened to be in the area estimated that the shark was a 6ft-long adult male after examining the board.
According to the Toronto Sun, Elinor said she won't let the incident stop her from surfing, but she said she might take a little break, adding: "I'll probably be on my boogie board for a little while."
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