In a harrowing close encounter captured on video, 23-year-old French backpacker Dylan Nacass narrowly escaped a shark attack at Bells Beach in Torquay, Victoria, on Friday, thanks to quick thinking and decisive action that likely saved his life.
Nacass was surfing when the shark suddenly attacked, biting his leg. Terrifying footage shows the young surfer thrashing in the water and lying on his surfboard while desperately fighting back. In a remarkable display of composure under extreme pressure, Nacass managed to land two punches directly to the shark’s face, forcing the animal to release its grip and allowing him to break free.
Local surfer Matthew Sedunary, who was nearby, rushed to assist after hearing Nacass’s shouts. Initially, Sedunary believed the commotion was just playful banter among friends. “At first I just thought he was having a laugh with his mates,” he told Nine News. “Then I saw the fin.”
The dramatic video, recorded by another local who had been filming a friend and turned his camera toward the disturbance, captures the intensity of the moment. As Nacass and Sedunary paddled urgently toward shore, the shark reappeared on the crest of a wave directly behind them, underscoring just how close the situation remained even after the initial attack.
Nacass sustained only minor wounds to his leg. Speaking afterward, he expressed relief and remarkable resilience. “I’m alive. Everything is good,” he said. Reflecting on the incident with the Geelong Advertiser, Nacass added: “I fight with him and it’s OK, I’m alive. Everything is good. I have my legs most importantly.”
Despite the ordeal, the French surfer is already planning his return to the water. “In one week, when my leg is OK I will go surfing at the same spot,” he stated, highlighting the enduring appeal of the sport even in the face of such danger.
Sedunary later admitted he had not fully grasped the ongoing threat until reviewing the footage. “When we’re paddling in and you can see the shark behind I didn’t know it was still there,” he explained. He noted that the conditions were tempting enough that he considered heading back out, but was relieved he didn’t: the shark reportedly remained in the area and bumped another surfer shortly afterward.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with surfing in Australian waters, where shark encounters, though rare, can escalate rapidly. Nacass’s calm and effective response—using physical force at the critical moment—has left viewers of the footage stunned by the raw drama and the slim margin between survival and disaster. Both men reached the shore safely, turning a potential tragedy into a story of courage and fortunate escape.