EXCLUSIVE: Morro Bay Shark Attack Survivor Speaks
A local surfer is one lucky man after surviving a shark attack just south of Morro Bay over the weekend.
Our own Cory James sat down with Kevin Swanson for an exclusive interview in which Swanson recounted the terrifying moments when he knew his life hung in the balance after a Great White shark attacked him.
“Everything changes dramatically at that point,” said Swanson. I’m guessing, based on how long I was down there for.”
Swanson remembers surfing with his buddy Sunday morning. The waves were smooth and the surf was fun. Suddenly, a Great White believed to be between eight to ten feet gnawed at his hip and pulled Swanson under the water.
Swanson underwent surgery and says the laceration to his right leg was about the size of a pie tin. “it looked like something that would never get put back together again.”
Before Swanson was flown to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, two doctors that happened to be on the beach at the time of the attack came to Swanson’s rescue.
“Without them who knows. I may have gone into shock without them there,” recounts Swanson.
The attack has not broken Swanson’s spirit and he hopes to get back on his surfboard soon, although he says he’ll be more alert. “As soon as the doctor gives me the green light I’ll be going back out there and I’ll probably be hesitant to paddle out to the same spot.”
