Shark puts Koeel Bay surfer in hospital

21 April 2000

A 42-year-old soul surfer was savaged by a shark during a session at Koeel Bay.

Sergio Capri, a respected local and veteran surfer, was hit by the shark totally unawares according to a report in the Cape Times today.

The "fairly big" shark was between three and five metres long and bit into his upper right leg. Surgeons undertook an emergency operation to repair the damage, and Capri was in a stable condition last night.

Apparently Capri himself held the wound closed as a local fisherman called the paramedics who stabilised the injured surfer before taking him to Vergelegen MediClinic.

Capri was surfing with Gerhard Geldenhuys who watched the attack unfold before his eyes.

It is not known what type of shark was responsible for the attack.

The report said: "Yesterday's attack was the replay of a nightmare for Geldenhuys, who 13 years ago had been on hand as a schoolboy lifesaver when a 21 year old George student was fatally mauled by a hammerhead near Groot Brak River."

Great White sharks (breaching shark in seal chase) have been known to cease an attack when they discover the prey is not compatible with their common prey, seals. Sadly, as was the case with the fatal attack at Buffels Bay near Knysna recently, the damage done in the initial hit is enough to take a life.

There have been an unacceptable number of attacks over the last two years along the SA coast. Reasons cited include an increase in population of both surfers/bodyboarders and sharks, an El Nino effect that has brought the sharks closer into shore for food and the effects of chumming, when gore is thrown over board boats to attracts specimens for tourists to ogle at.