12-foot tiger shark flung a surfer off his board and charged with its mouth open — instead of panicking, his instinctive response sent it retreating
A calm surf session can change in seconds when danger comes from beneath the water. 24-year-old surfer Albert Westpfal was surfing with his college friend at China Walls in Oahu when a huge tiger shark attacked his board. The 12-foot-plus shark hit with such force that he first thought he had struck the shallow reef. The impact damaged his board and threw him into the water. The shark then turned toward him with its mouth open, putting Westpfal in an extremely dangerous position, as reported by the Surfer. An Instagram post by @honoluluoceansafety on September 9, 2026, also gave details of the frightening encounter and the heroic escape as his instinctive response kicked in.
Westpfal said the surf was rough, with waves breaking hard near the rocky wall. He heard the fiberglass crack before realizing a shark was responsible. The animal tossed his board aside and moved straight toward him while he was in the water. Instead of trying to swim away, Westpfal fought back by attacking the shark. He said he "started kicking it in the head and punching its nose," forcing the animal to pull away. The young surfer then grabbed his damaged board and paddled toward the wall, eventually getting out through a safer area. His quick response appeared to give him enough time to escape without suffering serious injuries.
Westpfal escaped with abrasions on his leg, while his board suffered major damage around the tail. His friend Zach Sheerer was about 20 feet behind him and saw the board suddenly fly through the air. At first, Sheerer feared that Westpfal had been bitten, so he immediately paddled toward him to help. Westpfal later praised his friend for acting without hesitation during the attack. "In the moment of life or death, you find out who your real friends are," he said. The incident shows how quickly a normal outing can become dangerous, especially in an area already known for strong waves and difficult water conditions. Westpfal later also credited his faith after surviving the attack, noting that his boards carry the words, "Jesus Loves You.” For him, those words took on a much deeper meaning after escaping the shark.
Surfing in the ocean comes with its own challenges. In another similar incident, a young surfer faced a life-threatening emergency when a shark attacked him soon after he entered the water. The bite badly injured his leg and caused heavy blood loss. Two surfers helped him to shore, where his condition became critical. Despite the chaos, he knew what was what was needed to control the bleeding. He repeatedly shouted, "tourniquet," giving rescuers a clear instruction that could help save his life.
The rescuers then quickly used a surf leash around his injured leg to slow the bleeding. Nearby members taking a CPR lesson also rushed over after hearing the calls for help. Medical teams worked together until an ambulance arrived. Doctors later had to remove his lower leg because of the serious injuries. One rescuer recalled, "He saved himself in a way," showing how quick thinking mattered during the emergency.