NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. – A man is recovering after being bitten by a shark at New Smyrna Beach, according to beach officials.
Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue officials said 40-year-old Don Walsh was surfing around 11:55 a.m. Tuesday when he caught air on a wave, tucked and landed on the shark in waist-deep water.
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"Took a wave, one thing I never do, I never really try to throw an air but I tried to throw one. Didn't land it, landed on a shark instead and he decided to take a bite out of me," Walsh said.
Walsh said the shark, which he described as about 6 1/2 feet long, bit his left hand and calf, according to the incident report. He didn't even notice the shark until it bit him.
"It felt like a freight train hit me and the first thing I could think of was to literally push him away from me and as soon as it happened, I grabbed my board and started to paddle as fast as I could," Walsh said.
Walsh was treated by Ocean Rescue crews at the scene and refused further treatments, officials said.
Tuesday's attack marks the 11th shark bite in Volusia County this year, according to beach officials.
Walsh said he won't let the incident deter him from surfing.
"I'll get back in as soon the stitches come out and the wounds are closed up, I'll get back in the water," Walsh said.