Zac Hlaing: Young surfer tells of shark attack at Pyramids Beach in Dawesville and what happened next

A young surfer “stayed chill” despite being bitten by a shark at a beach south of Mandurah.

Zac Hlaing was bitten by an unknown species of shark at Pyramids Beach in Dawesville about 5.40am on Tuesday.

Speaking outside of Peel Health Campus before being transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital for surgery, the 15-year-old said the attack happened fast.

“I was just standing still waiting for a wave to come and I felt something latch onto my leg and then I saw a big tail just flap up and a big splash and then it let go and swam off,” Zac said.

“I was just in shock. I just hopped on the board and started paddling.

“I wasn’t hurt or anything because I was still in shock. I just stayed chill, I tried not to panic or anything.”

The shark left the surf lifesaver with six deep lacerations to his left calf and foot, which needs surgery as there is a fragment of tooth or bone stuck in his leg.

Despite the ordeal, Zac said he would be back in the water as soon as he could.

“I’ve been surfing pretty much my whole life because Dad got me into it and we live near the beach, so it’s pretty much all I do in the summer,” he said.

“Maybe I won’t go to the same spot for a while but as soon as I can I’ll be out there.”

Local surfer Jay Reeves, who helped Zac after he was bitten, said he was the “gnarliest little dude” who stayed calm the whole time.

Mr Reeves said he was talking to two teens in the surf when Zac suddenly yelled that he had been bitten by a shark.

“He got back on his board and started paddling and was just calm as anything,” Mr Reeves said.

“When he lifted his foot out you could see the blood dripping from his foot.

“I left the boys to start the car because they had come on pushbikes.

“I ran over as he’s come out with blood dripping, so I put him on my back and ran to the car.

“I got his foot wrapped up in a towel and chucked him in the car and took him straight to hospital.”

Mr Reeves said he was not panicked as Zac remained calm the whole time.

“He was the gnarliest little dude. He was absolutely so chill,” Mr Reeves said.

“I think the fact he was so relaxed and we just had to make sure he was ok so there was no panic at all.”

Premier Roger Cook said he was relieved the young boy was recovering in hospital.

“It sounds like a very serious attack and I’m very pleased that the young gentleman is now in hospital and in good care,” he said.

“It’s another reminder to all Western Australians that as you go into the water this summer, and we’re all looking forward to the summer, just take care.

“And, obviously, if you are spending prolonged periods of time in the water — surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling — make sure you use our Shark Shark app and continue to do everything you can to protect yourself.”

Mr Cook said the State’s shark mitigation measures were working.

“We know they’re working because we see pinging come into the system all the time when sharks are detected,” he said.

“Of course, we have the surveillance service, which is running over the course of the summer as well.

“We don’t know what shark this is. We won’t know until, in a rather macabre way, authorities have an opportunity to properly inspect the wounds.

“That will tell us what sort of shark bite this is. And I just wish that young gentleman all the very best for his recovery.”

City of Mandurah rangers have closed Pyramids Beach 1 km either side of where the attack happened.