Experienced Surfer, 62, Drives Himself to Hospital After Florida Shark Attack: 'It Was So Gnarly'

Mar. 15, 2025

The Edgewater man — who owns theGnarly Charley Surf Seriesand is known as “Gnarley Charley” — toldNBC affiliate WESHhe was bitten when he accidentally stepped on the animal.

“By the time I even thought twice about it, it [was] just bam! It bit me up,” Hajek explained. “Man, I felt like I stepped my foot on a light socket.”

The shark that bit Hajek was within about a half-inch of impacting the surfer’s Achilles’ tendon, according to theNews-Journal.

After riding his board to shore, Hajek made a gruesome discovery. “It just opened up like a flower and blew blood out everywhere,” he told WESH. “Man, it was so gnarly. "

Hajek tried to stop the bleeding with his surfboard leash, which he tied around his injured ankle and foot, according to WOFL and WESH.

Hajek received multiple stitches afterward, and must not go back in the water for several days to avoid an infection, per the reports.

On hiswebsite, Hajek said he has also won five state championship titles and “still currently” competes in surf contests.

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The Florida man was amid a 148-day surfing streak when the attack occurred, according to WOFL and theNews-Journal. Now, it is broken.

However, Hajek told WESH that he plans to start a new streak when he is able to go back in the water, and hopes to surpass his most recent streak. “I’m anxious to get back out there,” he said.

source: people.com